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Huntly Castle stands
currently in ruins, and it is located in the town of Huntly,
Aberdeenshire.
Huntly Castle Historical Facts
The great heraldic doorway is the finest part of Huntly
Castle. This rises to 33ft, and contains the arms of the 1st Marquis of Huntly and his
wife; the arms of the monarch, James VI and a device showing the five wounds of Christ and the
glory of Christ risen.
Over this is a figure of St Michael. Executed in red sandstone,
the ‘frontispiece’ has been described as the ‘most splendid heraldic doorway in the British
Isles’
Huntly Castle itself is just as interesting,
for here can be seen three stages in castle development (the 4th stage, Huntly Castle Lodge, is
now a hotel) on the same site.
The motte stands to one side. The foundations of the 15th
century L-planned castle lay within the courtyard, and the 16th century range forms the
greatest remnant.
The lower part of the Huntly
Palace range has vaulted cellars and a dungeon with ‘prisoners’. Over
this are vaulted kitchen rooms, with the great chamber and hall above.
The round tower contains the inner chamber with latrine,
peephole and a bed recess. The upper hall and great chamber have impressive heraldic
fireplaces.
The south front of Huntly has a unique suite of
oriel windows with an inscribed frieze on the upper storey, which is almost as fine mason work
as the doorway. The bailey contains ruins of the kitchen, stable, bakery and brew
house.
Huntly Castle was
granted to Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly in Berwickshire in the 14th century, after which place the
castle was renamed, previously being called Strathbogie.
It remained in the hands of the Gordons thereafter, who were
created Earls, then Marquises, of Huntly. The Duke of Richmond and Gordon passed it into care
in 1923.
Huntly Castle Map&Location
Huntly Castle Address: Huntly AB54
4SH, United Kingdom. Get help with directions using the map provided bellow:
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