| Ballindaloch Castle | |
|---|---|
| Part of Banffshire | |
| Near Ballindalloch, Banffshire, Scotland | |
 | |
  Ballindaloch Castle | |
| Coordinates | 57°24′42″N3°22′09″W / 57.4118°N 3.3693°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site history | |
| Built | 16th century |
Ballindalloch Castle, known as the "pearl of the north", is a Scottish castle located in Ballindalloch, Banffshire, Scotland. It has been the family home of Macpherson-Grants since 1546. [1]
The first tower of the Z plan castle was built in 1546.
In 1590 the widow of the Grant of Ballindalloch married John Gordon, son Thomas Gordon of Cluny. John Grant, former Tutor of Ballindaloch, the administrator of the estate, killed one of John Grant's servants. This started a feud between the Earl of Huntly and the Earl of Moray. The Earl of Huntly went to Ballindalloch in November 1590 to arrest the Tutor. The Chief of Grant, John Grant of Freuchie promised to deliver the Tutor and his accomplices, accused of murder and other crimes, to Huntly Castle. However, Freuchie joined with the Tutor's men and the Earl of Moray, and came to Darnaway Castle, and there shot pistols at Huntly's officers and cannon from the castle, and killed John Gordon, brother of the Laird of Cluny. [2]
After it was plundered and burned by James Graham, the first Marquess of Montrose, it was restored in 1645. [3]
Extensions were added in 1770 by General James Grant of the American Wars of Independence (whose ghost is said to haunt the castle) and in 1850 by the architect Thomas MacKenzie. Further extensions carried out in 1878 were mostly demolished during modernisation enacted in 1965. It has been continuously occupied by Russell and Macpherson-Grant families throughout its existence. [3]
The castle houses an important collection of 17th century Spanish paintings.
The castle grounds contain a 20th-century rock garden and a 17th-century dovecote. The rivers Spey and Avon flow through the grounds, offering excellent fishing. The famous Aberdeen Angus cattle herd resides in the castle estate. [3]
Today, the castle is still occupied by the Macpherson-Grant family. It is open to tourists during the summer months and a number of workshops on its grounds are in active use. [3]
It is said that the original intention was to build at a better site defensively, but when building commenced whatever was built in the day was thrown down at night. Eventually the laird, annoyed by the problem, heard a mysterious voice saying "Build in the cow haughs, and you will meet with no interruptions." He did so, and there was no further problem with the building. [3]
With the assistance of a £1.2 million grant from the Scottish Government, the owners of the castle set up the Ballindalloch distillery on the estate farm. [4] The distillery commenced production in September 2014. [4]
The dining room of Ballindalloch has associated ghostlore and is said to be haunted by a ghost known as The Green Lady. The green lady is a reoccurring character in Scottish ghostlore stories about castles. [3] [5]
Clan Macpherson is a Highland Scottish clan and a member of the Chattan Confederation.
Clan Grant is a Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch, Grant of Grant, and several cadet branches, such as Grant of Glenmoriston.
George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly was a Scottish nobleman.
Clan Gordon is a Highland Scottish clan, historically one of the most powerful Scottish clans. The Gordon lands once spanned a large territory across the Highlands. Presently, Gordon is seated at Aboyne Castle, Aberdeenshire. The Chief of the clan is the Earl of Huntly, later the Marquess of Huntly.
The Battle of Glenlivet was a Scottish clan battle fought on 3 October 1594 near Glenlivet, Moray, Scotland. It was fought between Protestant forces loyal to King James VI of Scotland who were commanded by Archibald Campbell, 7th Earl of Argyll, against Catholic forces who were commanded by George Gordon, 6th Earl of Huntly, and Francis Hay, 9th Earl of Erroll. The Catholics won a decisive victory in the battle, but in the aftermath were subdued by King James.
Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Huntly, who adopted the family name of Gordon from about 1457, was a powerful 15th-century Scottish magnate. He was knighted in 1439/1440 and was Lord of Badenoch, Gordon, Strathbogie and Cluny.
James Stuart, 3rd Earl of Moray was the son of James Stewart, 2nd Earl of Moray and Elizabeth Stuart.
Castle Grant stands a mile north of Grantown-on-Spey and was the former seat of the Clan Grant chiefs of Strathspey in Highlands, Scotland. It was originally named Freuchie Castle but was renamed Grant in 1694. The castle is a Category A listed building and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.
Elizabeth Keith, Countess of Huntly, was a Scottish noblewoman and the wife of George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, Scotland's leading Catholic magnate during the reign of Mary, Queen of Scots. In 1562, Elizabeth encouraged her husband to raise forces against Queen Mary which led to his being outlawed, and after his death, his titles forfeited to the Crown. Elizabeth's son Sir John Gordon was executed for having taken part in his father's rebellion.
Darnaway Castle, also known as Tarnaway Castle, is located in Darnaway Forest, 3 miles (5 km) southwest of Forres in Moray, Scotland. This was Comyn land, given to Thomas Randolph along with the Earldom of Moray by King Robert I. The castle has remained the seat of the Earls of Moray ever since. Rebuilt in 1810, it retains the old banqueting hall, capable of accommodating 1,000 people.
Alexander Stewart, 1st Earl of Galloway was a Scottish courtier and landowner.
The Murrays of Aberscross were a minor noble Scottish family who were seated at Aberscross Castle, in the county of Sutherland, Scotland. The Murrays in Sutherland are recorded specifically as a clan in two Acts of the Scottish Parliament of the 16th century.
John Murray, 1st Earl of Tullibardine was a Scottish courtier and leader of the Clan Murray.
John Grant of Freuchie was a Scottish landowner.
Aberlour House is a country house near Aberlour in Moray, Scotland. It was built in 1838 by William Robertson for Alexander Grant, planter and merchant from Aberlour, after his return to the UK. His niece, Margaret Macpherson Grant, lived in it after Grant died, and it was later home to John Ritchie Findlay of The Scotsman newspaper and his descendants. It was requisitioned for military use during the Second World War, and after the war was sold for use as a preparatory school for Gordonstoun. The school was later moved into Gordonstoun's estate, and the building was sold to Walkers Shortbread, who restored and renovated it, and now use it as their head office. It has been designated a Category A listed building.
Ballindalloch distillery is a Speyside single malt Scotch whisky distillery located in Ballindalloch, Banffshire, Scotland.
Anne Gordon, Countess of Moray (1590–1640) was a Scottish aristocrat.
James Grant, 7th of Freuchie (1616–1663) was a Scottish landowner, the seventh Laird of Freuchie. He was the 18th Chief of Clan Grant.
John Grant of Freuchie (1596-1637) was a Scottish landowner.
John Grant of Freuchie was a Scottish landowner.