Dunphail Castle facts for kids
Dunphail Castle is a ruined old building from the 14th century. It's a type of castle called a tower house. You can find it about 6.5 miles (10.5 km) south of Forres, in Moray, Scotland. It sits west of Dunphail House and east of the River Divie.
Quick facts for kids Dunphail Castle |
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 Dunphail Castle
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| Coordinates | 57°30′44″N 3°39′33″W / 57.5122°N 3.6592°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 14th century |
Contents
What is Dunphail Castle?
Dunphail Castle is a very old building that is now mostly in ruins. It was built a long time ago, in the 1300s. Castles like this were often used for protection and as homes for important families.
Who Owned Dunphail Castle?
The castle was already standing before the year 1314. The powerful Comyn family owned Dunphail Castle for a time.
The Siege of Dunphail Castle
In 1330, a leader named Regent Moray surrounded the castle. This is called a siege. The Comyns had fled to Dunphail after leaving Darnaway Castle. During the siege, Moray's forces captured five soldiers from the castle's defenders. These soldiers were out looking for food. Moray then dealt with them very harshly.
Later, the Dunbar family took over Dunphail. They might have lived in the castle after that. However, a newer building, Dunphail House, was built for the Cumming family.
What Does the Castle Look Like Now?
Dunphail Castle was built on a place called Castle Hill. This hill is towards the south. Today, not much of the castle remains. You can only see part of its vaulted basement. A basement is the lowest floor of a building, often underground. A vaulted basement means it had a curved, arched ceiling.
Spooky Stories About the Castle
There are some interesting old stories about Dunphail Castle. People say that five headless ghosts haunt the castle. They also claim to hear groans and the sounds of fighting there. It's a bit spooky!
