Ballindalloch is a particularly fine building, located between the towns of Grantown-on-Sprey and Dufftown.
Ballindalloch Castle History
Historically a Grant seat, it became Macpherson-Grant, until the daughter married Oliver Russell. Their son, Guy, has assumed the surname Macpherson-Grant to continue the family name.
The corner tower, which formed a Z-plan castle, was probably built in 1546, which date appears on a fireplace. Since then the Ballindalloch Castle has been extended a number of times – in 1770, 1850, and 1878. The last extension was removed in 1965.
A delightful confection of turrets and dormer windows, Ballindalloch opens a wide selection of rooms to the public. From the entrance hall, with its umbrella ceiling, one enters the drawing room and then the Laird’s Smoking Room.
The library at Ballindalloch Castle has a very fine collection of over 2,500 volumes. The dining room is located in what was the great hall of the original tower and the paneling of pine and the ceiling plasterwork are copied from casts of the ceiling at Craigievar.
The tour continues through the nursery, the Pink Tower, the Old Tower with its spiral staircase which changes direction halfway up, and the dungeon passage.
The ghost of General James Grant who drinks from the wine cellar located in the old dungeon, which still has its heavy door and massive padlock, also haunts the latter corridor. The castle displays a spectacular collection of paintings, furniture, and antiques throughout.
The grounds are extensive, with the lawns spreading down to the confluence of the Avon and Spey. The dovecote is dated 1696 and has 844 nest boxes. Craftsmen work in various buildings on the estate, and there is an audio-visual room.
Ballindalloch Castle Location
Ballandalloch Castle Address: Ballindalloch Estate, Ballindalloch AB37 9AX, United Kingdom. Get help with directions: