Cairnbulg Castle
| Cairnbulg Castle | |
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Aberdeenshire | |
|---|---|
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| Location | |
| Grid reference: | NK01676397 |
| Location: | 57°39’56"N, 1°58’25"W |
| History | |
| Information | |
| Owned by: | Lady Saltoun |
Cairnbulg Castle is a z-plan castle in Cairnbulg, in Aberdeenshire.
This castle was described by W. Douglas Simpson as one of the nine castles of the Knuckle, referring to the rocky headland of north-eastern Aberdeenshire.[1] It stands by the River Philorth and was originally known as Philorth Castle.[2]
History
The castle was built in the early 14th century but destroyed in the winter of 1308–1309 in the first of the wars of England and Scotland. Subsequently it was granted to the Earls of Ross, and was re-built in 1380 after the daughter of the 5th Earl married Sir Alexander Fraser of Cowie. In the 16th century a second, round, tower, a courtyard and outbuildings were added to the original square main tower.[2]
In 1613 the Frasers of Philorth sold the castle which, after passing through several other families of the Fraser clan, ended up in 1775 with George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen, who removed anything of value. In the late Victorian period the castle, by now almost a ruin, was purchased and restored by the wealthy Duthie family of Aberdeen. In 1934 it returned to the Fraser family after being bought by Lord Saltoun, a direct descendant of the 8th Laird.[2] Flora Fraser, 21st Lady Saltoun and her husband Captain Alexander Ramsay of Mar, who was one of Queen Victoria's great grandchildren, lived there for a while. Their daughter, Katharine Fraser, Mistress of Saltoun, took possession of the castle in 1997.[3]
During the Second World War the castle was used as the Officers' Mess for nearby RAF Fraserburgh.
Philorth Bridge Halt railway station once stood nearby on the old Fraserburgh and St Combs Light Railway.[4]
Today
Today Cairnbulg Castle is a family home. It is opened to the public only by appointment.
Outside links
References
- ↑ Simpson, W.D. (1949). "Cairnbulg Castle, Aberdeenshire". Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland 83: 32–44. http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-352-1/dissemination/pdf/vol_083/83_032_044.pdf.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Cairnbulg Castle". Britain Express. https://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=4368. Retrieved 14 July 2019.
- ↑ Cairnbulg Castle: Chief of the Frasers
- ↑ Butt, Raymond (1995). The Directory of Railway Stations: Details Every Public and Private Passenger Station, Halt, Platform and Stopping Place, Past and Present. Sparkford: Patrick Stephens Ltd. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-85260-508-7.
| The Nine Castles of the Knuckle, Aberdeenshire |
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Cairnbulg Castle • Dundarg Castle • Inverallochy Castle • Kinnaird Castle • Lonmay Castle • Pitsligo Castle • Pittulie Castle • Castle of Rattray • Winetower |