🏰 Gight Castle

The Ruined Ancestral Home of Lord Byron 🏰

Nestled in a secluded woodland setting near the banks of the River Ythan in Aberdeenshire, Gight Castle (pronounced “Gecht”) is a hauntingly beautiful ruin with a history steeped in poetry, tragedy, and the turbulent politics of Scotland’s northeast. Though now a crumbling shell, its legacy is forever tied to one of Britain’s most famous literary figures: Lord Byron.

📍 Location

Gight Castle is located near Fyvie, about 25 miles north of Aberdeen. Tucked away in a wooded estate along the River Ythan, the castle’s remote and romantic setting makes it a perfect destination for history lovers and nature enthusiasts alike. The surrounding woodlands are part of the Gight Woods, now a protected wildlife area.

📜 History & Inhabitants

15th–16th Centuries: The Gordons of Gight

Built around 1560 by George Gordon, 4th Laird of Gight, a branch of the powerful Clan Gordon.

The Gordons were staunch Catholics and supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots, which often pitted them against Protestant rivals and the Crown.

18th Century: The Byron Connection

In 1785, Catherine Gordon, the heiress of Gight, married Captain John “Mad Jack” Byron.

Their son, the famous Romantic poet Lord Byron, inherited the estate—though he never lived there.

Financial troubles forced Catherine to sell the castle in 1787 to the Gordon family of Haddo (later Earls of Aberdeen).

19th–20th Centuries: Decline & Ruin

The castle was abandoned by the early 1800s and gradually fell into decay.

Its stones were reportedly used for local buildings, and it became the atmospheric ruin seen today.

⚔️ Significance in Scottish & British History

Clan Gordon Power: The Gordons were key players in northeast Scotland’s politics, often clashing with clans like the Forbeses.

Religious Conflicts: As Catholics, the Gordons faced persecution after the Reformation, leading to their decline.

Literary Legacy: Lord Byron famously referenced his ancestral roots at Gight in his poetry, adding a layer of romantic myth to the castle.

Jacobite Ties: Though not directly involved in the risings, the Gordons’ Catholic sympathies aligned with Jacobite causes.

 

👻 Ghosts & Legends

Local lore claims the castle is haunted by the “Green Lady,” a ghost said to be a Gordon woman who drowned in the Ythan. Lord Byron himself later wrote about the curse of Gight, which supposedly doomed its owners to tragic ends.

🌟 Visiting Today
🏰 Open Access Ruin

Access: The castle is on private land but accessible to the public via a scenic footpath through Gight Woods.

Opening Times: Always open (daylight hours recommended).

Admission: Free (no ticket required).

 

What to See:

The remains of the L-shaped tower house with vaulted cellars.

The surrounding ancient woodlands (rich in wildlife—look for red squirrels and ospreys!).

The nearby River Ythan, perfect for a peaceful stroll.

⚠️ Note: The ruins are unstable—explore with caution and stick to marked paths.

📅 Plan Your Visit

Parking: Available at the Gight Woods car park (follow signs from Fyvie).

 

Nearby Attractions:

Fyvie Castle (National Trust for Scotland)

Haddo House (historic Gordon estate)

Bennachie Hill for hiking

🎩 Fun Fact: Lord Byron once said the curse of Gight made his family “born to disaster”—though it certainly inspired some of his greatest works! ✍️🏴

 

For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

 

https://www.livebreathescotland.com/gight-castle/

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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

🏰 Partially Accessible

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

Estuary wildlife including seals and ospreys

 

📍 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

#scotlandtravel #scotlandexplore #scotland #scotlandbymotorhome #motorhome #motorhomelife #homeiswhereyouparkit #vanlife #vanlifeuk #searchforsites #park4night #CamperUK #motorhometouringscotland #nc500 #northcoast500 #se250 #sw300 #ScottishHistory #KnockhallCastle #Aberdeenshire #ClanUdny #JacobiteHistory #ScottishCastles #VisitScotland #HiddenHistory #CoastalAberdeenshire