Duffus Castle, Elgin - Wee Guides to Scotland castles and mansions

Wee Guides to Scotland
Duffus Castle, nr Elgin

Goblinshead

130 Inveresk Rd
Musselburgh
EH21 7AY
SCOTLAND

One of the best examples of a 12th-century motte and bailey castle in Scotland, Duffus Castle consists of an extensive outer bailey with a wet moat, a walled and ditched inner bailey, and a large motte. On the motte was built a square 14th-century stone keep, part of which has collapsed down the slope. The original castle was built by Freskin, Lord of Strathbrock. David I stayed here while supervising the construction of nearby Kinloss Abbey. Duffus was destroyed by the Scots in 1297, but was rebuilt in stone by the Cheynes in the 14th century. It passed by marriage to the Sutherland Lord Duffus in 1350, and the family held the property until 1843. The castle was sacked in 1452 by the Douglas Earl of Moray, and again in 1645 by Royalists. John Graham of Claverhouse, 'Bonnie' Dundee' stayed here in 1689. The castle was abandoned for nearby Duffus House, at the end of the 17th century, and became ruinous.

Directions:	Off B9012 or B9135, 3 miles NW of Elgin, Moray.
Ownership:	HS		Ord. Survey Map Ref:	NJ 189672 28
Open:	Open all year.
Key:	P	Click Here for explanation of Key and other abreviations

Fax:+44 (0) 131 653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk