Duffus Castle
If you’re touring the Moray coast near Elgin, there is
one ruin you absolutely cannot miss: Duffus Castle. It’s one of the finest
examples of a motte-and-bailey castle in Scotland, but with a very dramatic
twist!
đ Location
- Where
is it? Located in the fertile Laich of Moray, about 3 miles north of Elgin.
- Setting:
It stands on a massive man-made mound, surrounded by flat, sprawling
plains. It’s a peaceful spot with a great little "Coffee at the
Castle" hut nearby—perfect for a pitstop in the van!
- Coordinates:
$57.690^\circ \text{N}, 3.332^\circ \text{W}$.
đ A Timeline of History and Inhabitants
Duffus is a story of ambitious engineering meeting the
reality of soft Scottish soil.
1. The Flemish Arrival (1140s)
- The
Founder: Built by Freskin, a Flemish knight. King David I of Scotland
invited Freskin to Moray to help suppress local rebellions and
"Normanize" the region.
- The
First Castle: Originally, this was a massive wooden fortress sitting atop
a steep earthwork mound (the motte) and a lower fortified courtyard (the
bailey).
2. The Rise of the Moravia Family
- Key
Inhabitants: Freskin’s descendants took the name 'de Moravia' (of Moray).
They became one of the most powerful families in Scotland, eventually
spawning the Clans Murray and Sutherland.
- Transition
to Stone: In the 14th century, the wooden fort was replaced by a massive
stone tower house.
3. War and Gravity (14th - 17th Centuries)
- Wars
of Independence: During the conflict between Scotland and England, the
castle was attacked and burned by the forces of Robert the Bruce in 1308
to prevent it from being used by the English.
- The
Great Slip: The earth mound wasn't designed to hold the weight of a stone
castle. At some point, a massive section of the stone tower broke off and
slid down the hill! You can still see this spectacular
"collapsed" section today.
4. The Sutherland Era and Abandonment
- Final
Residents: The Sutherland family held the castle until the late 17th
century. By 1705, they found the drafty medieval tower too uncomfortable
and moved into the nearby, more modern Duffus House, leaving the castle to
the birds.
đ Significance in History and Politics
Duffus Castle is much more than just a ruin; it’s a
monument to the birth of "Modern" Scotland.
- Feudalism
& Control: Duffus was a "colonial" outpost. It represents
the moment Scottish Kings (like David I) shifted from Celtic tribal
leadership to a feudal system based on knights and land grants, similar to
the English system.
- Taming
the North: For the Scottish Crown, Duffus was a vital "police
station" used to keep the rebellious locals of Moray in check and
prevent Viking-descended lords from seizing the north.
- The
Wars of Independence: Its destruction by Robert the Bruce highlights the
"Scorched Earth" policy used by the Scots. They would rather
destroy their own magnificent castles than let an English garrison occupy
them.
Johnny’s Travel Tip: The castle is managed by Historic
Environment Scotland and is free to enter! The ground can be a bit uneven
(especially with that leaning tower!), so wear sturdy shoes.
Have you ever seen a castle quite like this one? Drop
your photos in the comments below! đ
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For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:
https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duffus_Castle
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