Kildrummy Castle
Sentinel of the North & Witness to Scotland’s Struggles 🌿
Nestled in the rugged landscapes of Aberdeenshire, Kildrummy Castle stands as a haunting ruin, its crumbling walls echoing tales of betrayal, siege, and resilience. Built in the 13th century, this once-mighty stronghold played a pivotal role in Scotland’s fight for independence and beyond. Let’s journey through its storied past!
🏰 The Founding of Kildrummy Castle
Constructed around 1240 by the Earls of Mar, Kildrummy was a marvel of medieval engineering. Its strategic location near the River Don made it a linchpin of defense in northern Scotland. The castle’s design—featuring a massive curtain wall, imposing Snow Tower, and elegant chapel—set the standard for Scottish baronial architecture.
đź‘‘ Key Inhabitants Through the Centuries
The Earls of Mar (13th–14th centuries): Founded by Gilbert de Moravia, the castle served as the seat of this powerful family, loyal supporters of the Scottish Crown.
Nigel Bruce (1306): Brother of Robert the Bruce, Nigel defended Kildrummy during a brutal siege by Edward I of England. The castle fell due to betrayal—legend claims a blacksmith set fire to the grain stores, forcing surrender. Nigel was executed, cementing Kildrummy’s role in Scotland’s bloody path to independence.
The Crown & Douglases (14th–15th centuries): Post-siege, the castle reverted to the Crown before passing to the Douglas family, key players in medieval Scottish politics.
The Erskines (15th–18th centuries): The Earls of Mar regained control, notably John Erskine, 6th Earl of Mar, who led the 1715 Jacobite Rising. After his defeat, the castle was forfeited to the Crown and abandoned.
⚔️ Kildrummy in Scottish & British History
Wars of Independence (1296–1357): Kildrummy’s defiance against Edward I symbolized Scotland’s resistance. Its fall in 1306 marked a dark chapter but galvanized support for Bruce’s cause.
Jacobite Rising (1715): The Earl of Mar’s rebellion transformed Kildrummy into a political flashpoint. Its forfeiture post-1715 underscored the Crown’s crackdown on Jacobitism.
Architectural Legacy: Innovations like its D-shaped towers influenced later castles, blending defense with grandeur.
🌿 Legacy & Modern Exploration
Though a ruin by the 18th century, Kildrummy’s drama endures:
Historic Environment Scotland now safeguards the site, offering visitors glimpses of its chapel arches, kitchen vaults, and the evocative Snow Tower remnants.
The castle’s gardens bloom with wildflowers, contrasting its martial past.
📸 Visit Kildrummy Castle
Walk among the ruins where kings plotted and clans clashed! Explore the scenic trails and ponder the castle’s dual legacy of beauty and defiance.
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someone who loves Scotland’s warrior spirit!
For more of the Castles in Scotland series visit:
https://castlesinscotland.blogspot.com
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kildrummy_Castle
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