🏰 Banff Castle: Guardian of the Moray Firth

Commanding spectacular views over the Moray Firth near the historic town of Banff, this elegant castle embodies the transformation from medieval fortress to Georgian mansion. With roots stretching back to the 12th century, Banff Castle has witnessed Viking raids, clan warfare, and Jacobite uprisings, evolving through centuries of conflict and refinement.

📍 Location

Where: On the outskirts of Banff, Aberdeenshire (AB45 1DL), overlooking the River Deveron estuary
Why Visit: Stunning coastal setting blending medieval ruins with Georgian elegance, plus ties to Scotland's political struggles

📜 A Timeline of Transformation

12th–13th Century: Norman Origins

Original motte-and-bailey castle built by Flemish settlers under King David I
Destroyed by Viking raiders in the 12th century, then rebuilt in stone

14th–16th Century: Comyn & Stewart Power

Held by the Comyn family until their downfall after Robert the Bruce's rise
Later owned by the Stewart earls of Buchan, including the notorious "Wolf of Badenoch"

17th–18th Century: Jacobite Era

1746: Occupied by Government troops hunting Jacobites after Culloden
1750: Mostly demolished and rebuilt as a Georgian mansion by William Duff of Braco
19th–20th Century: Modern Use
Served as a hotel before conversion to private apartments

👑 Key Inhabitants

The Comyns: Powerful Norman-Scottish lords who dominated northeast politics
Alexander Stewart
Wolf of Badenoch: Infamous 14th-century warlord who burned Elgin Cathedral
William Duff, 1st Earl Fife: Georgian magnate who transformed the castle into a mansion

⚔️ Significance in Scottish History

Viking Conflicts: Early destruction highlighted Norse threat to Scottish coast
Wars of Independence: Comyn ownership placed it at heart of Bruce-Comyn rivalry
Jacobite Suppression: Government use during 1745 rising showed its strategic importance
Agricultural Revolution: 18th-century rebuilding reflected Scotland's Enlightenment era

🌟 Visiting Today

🏰 Partial Public Access
Current Use: Private residential apartments (no interior access)
Public Access: Gardens and exterior viewing available during daylight hours
Best Views: From Banff Golf Course or Duff House grounds across the river
Nearby:
Duff House (William Adam masterpiece)
Banff Museum (local history exhibits)
Macduff Marine Aquarium

⚠️ Note: Respect residents' privacy—admire from public paths only

📍 Insider Tip: Walk the Banff to Macduff coastal path for the best photo opportunities of the castle with the Moray Firth as backdrop! 🌊📸

While you can't tour the interior, the castle's setting and nearby historic attractions make Banff well worth a visit for any Scottish history enthusiast!

For more of the Castles of Scotland series visit:

https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Banff_Castle

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🏰 Dunnideer Castle

Ancient Stronghold of the Garioch 🏰

Perched dramatically atop a 268-meter hill near Insch, Aberdeenshire, the skeletal ruins of Dunnideer Castle stand as a fascinating layer cake of Scottish history. This site holds not one but two historic treasures: a prehistoric hillfort dating back 2,500 years and a 13th-century tower house built from its stones—a silent witness to Pictish culture, Clan Comyn power, and Scotland’s Wars of Independence.

📍 Location

Where: Near Insch, Aberdeenshire (AB52 6JY), 35 miles northwest of Aberdeen

Why Visit: Panoramic views across the Garioch valley, rare combination of prehistoric and medieval ruins, and an accessible but rewarding climb

📜 A Timeline of Power & Conflict

Iron Age (c. 500 BC)
A vitrified hillfort was constructed here—stones fused by intense fire, possibly during ancient warfare. This was likely a major Pictish stronghold in their heartland.
13th Century: Norman Conquest
Built around 1260 by the Comyn family (also known as Cumming), using stones from the earlier hillfort
The Comyns were the most powerful barons in northern Scotland and rivals to Robert the Bruce
14th Century: Fall of the Comyns
1306–1307: After Robert the Bruce murdered John Comyn, the castle was likely attacked and abandoned
The Comyns' fall marked a major power shift in Scottish politics