Kildrummy
is one of the finest castle ruins in the north of Scotland. The greatest part of the
surviving ruins date from the 13th century and were probably erected by an Earl
of Mar
A path from the car park leads
to the entrance gateway, reached by a bridge over the barbican. An English mason, being
similar to that at Harlech in Wales may have built the gatehouse. There are another four
great towers to the castle, built onto the wall of enceinte, creating a vast shield shaped
fortress. The Warden’s Tower is the most complete, the Snow Tower having collapsed in
1805. Between the two is the ruin of the great gall, which was about 65ft long. The former
chapel was a striking building, evidenced by the lancet windows of one gable, which still
survives. The need for an easterly orientation resulting in a projection outwith the line
of the castle wall. A postern gate allowed an exit to fetch water.
Kildrummy remained in Mar
hands until 1435 when James I took over the castle. It was then kept as a royal castle and
administered by a constable. In 1507 the estates were granted to Lord Elphinstone and
remained in his family’s hands until 1626 when they were acquired by the Erskine
Earls of Mar.
The
castle was finally abandoned in 1716 when the Earl of Mar escaped to France following his
failed Jacobite rebellion. In 1898 James Ogston who did some stabilisation work and
removal of debris acquired the ruins. He died in 1931 and is commemorated by a plaque on
the chapel gable. His niece placed the castle in care in 1951. |
