Spynie Castle History
Known also as the Spynie Palace, this was the seat of the Bishops of Moray from 1208 until Reformation, after which the castle became ruinous. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed in 1562.
The castle stands on the edge of what was once the great Spynie sea loch, with a harbor and small village, but this became silted and abandoned.
The great tower or David’s Tower is the most striking feature, rising six stories in height, with walls tapering to the corbels. On the ground floor are vaulted cellars, one of which was the circular vault in a 14th-century castle.
The first-floor doorway leads to the interior, the floors of which have gone. However, one is impressed with the old masonry with the mason’s marks and the modern restoration works which include leaded windows, concrete vaulted corridor, and spiral stairs.
Some old plaster still adorns the walls. The stair leads to the parapet, which affords wide panoramas over the loch and Laich of Moray.
The courtyard is surrounded by ruinous buildings, the most complete of which is the northwest tower, containing a dovecote. The water gate is a notable feature, located between the kitchen ovens and the great hall (dates to 1500).
The great hall has faces carved on two corbels and a deep well at the East End. The east gate dates from the 15th century, and its external appearance is most attractive. The south range is basically now a single wall, but here can be seen an ornate piscina in what was the chapel.
Spynie Palace Location
Address: Spynie Palace, Elgin IV30 5QG, United Kingdom. Get help with directions using the map provided below: