Pitlurg Castle facts for kids
Pitlurg Castle was an old castle built in the 1500s. It was located in Scotland, about 3.5 miles south of a town called Keith. The castle stood near the Burn of Davidston.
Contents
The Story of Pitlurg Castle
Early Beginnings
The name 'Pitlurg' means 'the hillside place'. This suggests that people called the Picts lived in this area a very long time ago.
The Gordon Family's Home
A family called the Gordons owned the land of Pitlurg for many years. They were descendants of someone named Jock o’Scurdargue. The Gordons owned the castle until 1724. Parts of it were still lived in until the 1760s. Later, in 1815, a descendant named General Gordon used the 'Pitlurg' name for his own estate.
Royal Connections
In 1589, James VI was the King of Scotland. He wrote to John Gordon of Pitlurg. The King asked for a special horse for himself and his future wife, Anne of Denmark.
In 1593, John Gordon went to Edinburgh to speak for the Earl of Huntly and other Gordon leaders. The next year, in 1594, King James VI invited him to a special party for the baptism of Prince Henry. He was asked to be a companion to the ambassadors. In October 1594, King James VI made John Gordon the keeper of Huntly Castle.
Robert Gordon of Straloch, a famous mapmaker, was born and lived at Pitlurg Castle. He inherited the estate from his brother John.
What Pitlurg Castle Looked Like
Pitlurg Castle was a Z-plan tower house with a courtyard. This means it had a main rectangular building with towers at opposite corners. Today, only one round tower remains. This tower has two vaulted (arched) storeys and is now used as a doocot, a home for pigeons.
The castle was built on a strong rock. To the south was a valley called the Den of Pitlurg. To the west, there was a wide, open view. Inside the castle courtyard, there was a well for water. It is believed that a deep ditch surrounded the castle for protection. There was also a long line of buildings to the west. The structure on the east side has been removed over time. However, you can still see where it was by a rebuilt doorway and the remains of a stone staircase. This staircase once led to the second floor of the tower on the southeast side.
