Knockhall Castle
The Phoenix of Newburgh
Standing sentinel over the River Ythan estuary near Newburgh, Aberdeenshire, Knockhall Castle's striking pink sandstone ruins tell a 500-year tale of clan warfare, royal intrigue, and miraculous survival. This once-grand tower house has risen from the ashes (literally!) to become one of northeast Scotland's most fascinating lesser-known castles.
📍 Location
Where: 1 mile north of Newburgh (AB41 6BT), 15 miles north of Aberdeen
Why Visit: Stunning estuary views, rare surviving 16th-century interiors, and ties to the Jacobite Rising
📜 A History of Fire & Fortune
16th Century: Udny Power Base
Built in 1565 by Henry Preston, soon acquired by the powerful Udny family
Served as strategic stronghold controlling access to Aberdeen harbor
17th Century: Civil War & Flames
1639: Burned during the Bishops' Wars by Covenanters attacking Royalist sympathizers
1685: Remarkably rebuilt by John Udny, incorporating original medieval features
18th Century: Jacobite Connections
Secretly hosted Bonnie Prince Charlie's officers en route to Culloden (1746)
Later used as smuggler's den exploiting its riverside location
👑 Key Figures
The Udny Clan: Ruthless Aberdeenshire lords who dominated local politics
John Udny: The "Phoenix Laird" who restored the castle after its burning
James Francis Edward Stuart ("Old Pretender"): Allegedly sheltered here during 1715 Rising
⚔️ Political Significance
Religious Wars: Its burning marked Scotland's Protestant-Catholic divide
Jacobite Network: Key stop on clandestine routes between Highlands and Europe
Economic Power: Controlled vital salmon fishing rights on the Ythan
🌟 Visiting Today
Exterior: Always viewable from public footpaths along river
Interior: Open select summer days (check Newburgh History Society)
Don't Miss:
The vaulted ground floor with original 16th-century kitchen
"Bloody Stair" where Udny enemies were allegedly dispatched
📍 Insider Tip: Visit at low tide to spot the castle's reflection in the Ythan's mirror-like waters—best photographed at dawn! 🌅📸
Note: Sturdy footwear recommended—uneven terrain around
ruins.
For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:
https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knockhall_Castle
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1NTTk4vGyDXVvUWaZkYuTE6X1IA9p8A8&usp=sharing
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