Gauldwell Castle facts for kids
Gauldwell Castle was an old castle from the 1200s. It was located in Scotland, about 3.5 miles (5.6 km) northwest of a town called Dufftown in Moray. The castle stood north of the River Fiddich. People also knew it by other names like Boharm Castle, Cauddwell Castle, Gallvall Castle, and Goldwell Castle.
Quick facts for kids Gauldwell Castle |
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 Gauldwell Castle
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| Coordinates | 57°29′28″N 3°09′04″W / 57.4911°N 3.1512°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 13th century |
Castle History and Ownership
Gauldwell Castle has a long history. A man named Freskin once owned it. He was a nobleman from a region called Flanders. Freskin was also the ancestor of the Murrays of Abercairny.
Later, the castle became the property of the Earls of Moray. These were powerful leaders in the area. In 1562, Mary, Queen of Scots even stayed at Gauldwell Castle. It is possible that an even older castle stood on this same spot before the 13th-century one was built.
Castle Design and Structure
Gauldwell Castle was a large enclosure castle. This means it had a strong wall that surrounded a central area. This central area was like a courtyard.
Inside the walls, there was a hall. This was likely a main building for living and gatherings. Over time, the castle was changed and made bigger. These changes happened while it was still being used.
The castle was built on the south side of a ridge. This ridge had steep slopes to the east and west. However, the slope was gentle to the south. The main building of the castle was about 38.5 meters (126 feet) long. It was 8.3 meters (27 feet) wide at the north end. At the south end, it was 6.9 meters (23 feet) wide. The area that was probably the courtyard was located to the east of the main building.
