Findochty Castle facts for kids
Findochty Castle is an old castle that's mostly in ruins today. It's located near a village called Findochty in Moray, Scotland. This castle is about 2.5 miles (4 km) northeast of Buckie and just a short distance, about 0.25 miles (0.4 km), from the sea.
The castle was built on a large rock. This rock was once at the edge of a loch, which is a Scottish word for a lake, but the loch has since been drained.
A Look Back: Castle History
Findochty Castle was first built by a powerful Scottish family known as the Gordons. Later, another family, the Ogilvies, took ownership of the castle.
In 1568, the Ord family bought the castle. They were important because they helped develop the nearby village of Findochty into a busy fishing port. This meant the village became a place where fishing boats could dock and sell their catch.
By the year 1794, the castle was already in ruins. This means it was falling apart and no longer used as a home. Some small repairs were made to the castle's remains in the 1880s to help preserve what was left.
What's Left of the Castle?
Findochty Castle was designed as an "L-plan" tower house. This means it had a main rectangular building with another smaller tower attached, forming an 'L' shape.
The main part of the castle was about 24.25 feet (7.4 meters) wide. Its full length isn't known today. There was also a smaller tower on the west side. This tower measured about 16.5 feet (5 meters) by 10.5 feet (3.2 meters). It was connected to the front of the main building.
Most of the main building has been destroyed over time. Only a part of its north wall and a section of the west wing are still standing. The small tower and the west wing, which might have been the kitchen, still stand about 26.2 feet (8 meters) high.
The castle had a basement with a vaulted ceiling. This means the ceiling was arched. The main hall, where people would gather, was on the first floor.
The castle was built using a type of stone called rubble. The stones were held together with a special kind of mortar called harl-pointed. The castle also had a narrow door on its south side. Above this door was a special arch called a relieving arch. This arch helps to spread the weight from the wall above the doorway.
Today, Findochty Castle is recognized as a scheduled monument. This means it's an important historical site protected by law.
