Ballindalloch Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ballindalloch Castle |
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| Part of Banffshire | |
| Near Ballindalloch, Banffshire, Scotland | |
 Ballindalloch Castle
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| Coordinates | 57°24′42″N 3°22′09″W / 57.4118°N 3.3693°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site history | |
| Built | 16th century |
Ballindalloch Castle is a beautiful Scottish castle. It is often called the "pearl of the north." You can find it in Ballindalloch, Banffshire, Scotland. This amazing castle has been the home of the Macpherson-Grant family for a very long time, since 1546.
Contents
The Castle's Story: A Look Back
Building the Castle
The first part of Ballindalloch Castle was built in 1546. It was designed as a special kind of building called a "Z-plan" castle. This design was popular for defense back then.
Times of Trouble
In 1590, there was a big disagreement involving the castle. A man named John Grant, who managed the estate, killed a servant. This started a serious conflict between two powerful families, the Earl of Huntly and the Earl of Moray.
The Earl of Huntly came to Ballindalloch to arrest John Grant. But John Grant joined forces with the Earl of Moray. They even fired cannons and pistols from Darnaway Castle at Huntly's men.
Later, in 1645, the castle was attacked and burned by James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. But don't worry, it was quickly rebuilt and made new again!
Changes Over Time
The castle has been changed and added to many times. In 1770, General James Grant added new parts. People say his ghost still walks the castle! More additions were made in 1850 by an architect named Thomas MacKenzie.
Even though parts were changed or removed, the castle has always been lived in. The Russell and Macpherson-Grant families have called it home for hundreds of years.
Treasures and Nature at the Castle
Ballindalloch Castle holds a special collection of old Spanish paintings from the 1600s. The castle grounds are also very interesting. You can find a modern rock garden and a very old dovecote (a building for doves).
Two rivers, the River Spey and the River Avon, flow through the estate. These rivers are great for fishing. The castle is also famous for its Aberdeen Angus cattle herd. These are a well-known type of cow.
Ballindalloch Today
Today, the Macpherson-Grant family still lives in Ballindalloch Castle. You can even visit it during the summer months! There are also workshops on the grounds that are still used.
Old Stories and Beliefs
The Mysterious Voice
There's a fun story about how the castle was built. People say the builders first tried to build it in a different spot. But every night, whatever they built during the day would fall down! The owner was very annoyed.
Then, he heard a mysterious voice. It told him, "Build in the cow haughs, and you will meet with no interruptions." A "cow haugh" is a low-lying field where cows graze. He decided to follow the voice's advice. When they started building in the new spot, there were no more problems!
Ballindalloch Whisky
The castle owners have even started their own whisky distillery! With help from the Scottish Government, the Ballindalloch distillery began making whisky in September 2014. It's located right on the castle's farm.
Castle Ghosts
The Green Lady
Like many old castles, Ballindalloch has its own ghost story. The dining room is said to be haunted by a ghost known as The Green Lady. This "Green Lady" is a common character in Scottish ghost stories about castles.
