Kildrummy Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kildrummy Castle |
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Kildrummy Castle
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| General information | |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 57°14′06″N 2°54′18″W / 57.235°N 2.905°W |
| Completed | 13th century |
| Owner | Historic Environment Scotland |
Kildrummy Castle is an old, ruined castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Even though it's a ruin, it's one of the biggest and best-preserved castles from the 1200s in eastern Scotland. It used to be the main home for the powerful Earls of Mar.
Today, Historic Environment Scotland looks after it. You can visit it! It's a special historic site with beautiful gardens.
Contents
History of Kildrummy Castle
Kildrummy Castle was likely built in the mid-1200s. Gilbert de Moravia probably started its construction. The castle was placed in a smart spot. It was near important mountain paths called the Grampian Mounth trackways.
Battles and Sieges
Kildrummy Castle faced many attacks over the years.
- In 1306, it was attacked while protecting the family of Robert the Bruce. Sadly, Nigel Bruce, Robert the Bruce's brother, and many other Scots were captured and executed.
- In 1335, David of Strathbogie attacked the castle. Christina Bruce, Robert the Bruce's sister, bravely defended it. She held off the attackers until her husband, Sir Andrew Murray, arrived to save her.
- During the time of King David II, Walter Maule of Panmure was in charge of the castle.
Changes in Ownership
In 1374, the castle's heiress, Isobel, was taken and married by Alexander Stewart. He then claimed Kildrummy and the title of Earl of Mar.
In 1435, King James I took control of the castle. It became a royal castle, meaning it belonged to the king. Later, in 1507, King James IV gave the castle to Alexander Elphinstone, 1st Lord Elphinstone and his wife, Elizabeth Barlow.
The castle was passed down through the Clan Elphinstone family. Then it went to the Clan Erskine. It was finally left empty in 1716. This happened after the Jacobite Rising of 1715 failed.
In 1585, Margaret Haldane, the wife of David Erskine, was held at Kildrummy. She was under the care of the Master of Elphinstone. In 1645, Robert Farquharson was the castle keeper. He worked for the Earl of Mar.
Castle Design and Structure
Kildrummy Castle has a unique "shield-shaped" design. It has several separate towers. One side of the castle faces a very steep ravine (a deep, narrow valley). The other side comes to a point. This point was once protected by a huge gatehouse with two towers.
The castle also had a special tower called the Snow Tower. It was taller than the other towers. This tower was built in a French style, similar to Bothwell Castle.
Defenses
Many large earthworks helped protect the castle. These included a dry moat (a ditch around the castle) and the natural ravine.
Today, you can see most of the castle's foundations. Many of its lower walls are also still standing. In 1925, archaeologists dug up the site. They found fancy stone flooring and signs of past battles.
Kildrummy Castle Today
In 1951, the castle was given to the Ministry of Works. Now, its successor, Historic Environment Scotland, owns it.
You can visit Kildrummy Castle and its beautiful gardens. The gardens are in the old quarry. This is where the stone for the castle was dug out.
A hotel called the Kildrummy Castle Hotel has been built nearby. It overlooks the old castle ruins. From 1981 to 1997, the castle was also a place for art. It hosted the Scottish Sculpture Open, an event for Scottish sculptures.
