Ravenscraig Castle, Aberdeenshire facts for kids
Ravenscraig Castle, also known as the Craig of Inverugie, is a ruined castle from the 1400s. It is located north-west of Peterhead, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This castle is shaped like the letter 'L' and was once a strong tower-house. Today, it is a protected historical site called a scheduled ancient monument.
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History of Ravenscraig Castle
The castle was originally the main home for the Cheyne family, who were important landowners. Later, in the mid-1300s, the Keith family took over the land and the castle.
Building the Castle
In May 1491, the Keith family received special permission to build a new castle. This new castle was built right next to the Ugie River. To protect it even more, a moat was dug around it. A moat is a deep, wide ditch, often filled with water, that surrounds a castle to make it harder for enemies to attack.
Royal Visit to Ravenscraig
It is believed that King James VI of Scotland visited Ravenscraig Castle in 1589. He came to attend a wedding between Rebecca Keith and Sir James Gordon of Lesmoir. At that time, the castle belonged to John Keith of Ravenscraig. John's half-brother, William Keith of Delny, was a diplomat. He had tried to help Mary, Queen of Scots, in 1587 when she was in danger.
What You Can See Today
Over time, many of the castle's fancy decorations and carved stones have been taken away. However, you can still see some important parts of the castle. The ground floor has strong arched ceilings, and the main rooms on the first floor are still visible. There was once a round staircase in a corner of the castle. This staircase went up higher than the walls into a small tower.
Literary Inspiration
The Mitherless Bairn
The famous Scottish poet William Thom wrote a well-known poem called The Mitherless Bairn. He was inspired to write this poem in 1844. He saw a "pretty governess" (a woman who teaches children in a private home) while he was in the castle grounds.
