Huntly Castle stands currently in ruins, and it is located in the town of Huntly, Aberdeenshire.
Huntly Castle History
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 an inner chamber with a 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 story, 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 Location
Huntly Castle Address: Huntly AB54 4SH, United Kingdom. Get help with directions using the map provided below: