Nine castles of the Knuckle facts for kids
The nine castles of the Knuckle are a group of old castles found in Aberdeenshire, a region in Scotland called Buchan. A historian named William Douglas Simpson came up with this name. He thought the land sticking out into the sea, between the Moray Firth and the North Sea, looked like the "north-eastern knuckle of Scotland". These castles are, from west to east: Dundarg, Pitsligo, Pitullie, Kinnaird, Wine Tower, Cairnbulg, Inverallochy, Lonmay, and Rattray. Even though Simpson named them, he didn't say they were connected in any special way, just that they were all in this area.
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Contents
Discovering the Castles of the Knuckle
These nine castles each have their own unique story. Some are still standing strong, while others are just ruins, showing us glimpses of the past.
Meet the Castles
Let's take a closer look at each of these historic sites.
Cairnbulg Castle
Cairnbulg Castle was first built in the 13th century by the Comyn family. It was later rebuilt around 1380 by the Fraser family. What's really cool is that this castle is still lived in today! It's a great example of how old buildings can be preserved and used.
Dundarg Castle
Dundarg Castle was likely built in the 13th century, possibly by the Comyn family. Sadly, it was destroyed in 1334. Today, it stands as a ruin, but you can still see parts of its ancient walls.
Inverallochy Castle
Inverallochy Castle was also built by the Comyn family. Not much is left of this castle today, only a few remains. It reminds us that time can wear down even the strongest stone structures.
Kinnaird Castle
Kinnaird Castle was built in 1570 by Alexander Fraser of Philorth. Instead of being destroyed, this castle was turned into a lighthouse! It's a unique way an old castle found a new purpose, helping ships navigate the coast.
Lonmay Castle
Unfortunately, there are no remains left of Lonmay Castle today. It's one of the castles that has completely disappeared over time, leaving its history to be discovered through old records.
Pitsligo Castle
Pitsligo Castle was built by the Fraser family in 1424. Today, it is a ruin, but you can still explore its impressive remains and imagine what it was like centuries ago.
Pittulie Castle
Pittulie Castle dates back to the 16th century. Like many old castles, it is now a ruin. Its walls tell a story of the past, standing strong against the elements.
Castle of Rattray
The Castle of Rattray was built in the late 12th or early 13th century, possibly by the Comyn family. It was destroyed in the 15th century, and today, no remains of it can be seen.
Winetower
The Winetower was built in the 16th century. Its original builder is unknown. This tower is well-preserved and is part of the Kinnaird Head lighthouse complex. It's a great example of a smaller, but important, historic structure.
