Glenbuchat Castle

I had not been looking for this castle, but came across it by accident. We had actually set out to visit to visit Corgarff Castle, but when we reached it, the deep snow meant that it was closed due to lack of access. Last year when I tried to visit it it was closed as it was winter. Next time!

So on the way to another National Trust Property, we saw the sign to this castle.
My wife remained in the car while I  made my way up to the castle.

The whole area is called Glenbuchat and lies within the Cairngorm National Park. There are a number of ruined castles in the area which I will visit next time we are up this way.

The castle was built in 1590 for John Gordon of Cairnbrow on his marriage.
It is a Z plan castle, which means it has a main rectangular block with two smaller blocks at either end of the main block.

Although it is a ruin, there is quite a lot to see and you can imagine what it would have been like in its prime. It remained in the Gordon family until 1783.

The Gordons were supporters of the Jacobite Cause. Briefly, this was the claim of the Stuarts to the throne of Britain. Because they were Catholics, this right was taken away from them, resulting in 2 Jacobite Rebellions, one in 1715 led by James, the Old Pretender, and in 1745 by his son, Bonnie Prince Charlie...Charles Edward Stuart.

The castle was sold in 1734 and then fell into disrepair. It was purchased in 1901, and later on passed into the hands of the State. It is now looked after by Historic Scotland.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/strathdon/glenbuchatcastle/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenbuchat_Castle

http://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-702-s&va=glenbuchat+castle

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/

road to Tomintoul and Corgarff Castle

what if you meet someone coming the other way???

Corgarff Castle in the snow

Glenbuchat Castle

we do not want our fotties tooken!!!