Known also as
Spynie Palace, this was the seat of the Bishops of Moray from 1208 until Reformation,
after which the castle became ruinous. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed in 1562. The castle
stands on the edge of what was once the great Spynie sea loch, with a harbour and small
village, but this became silted and abandoned.
The great, or David’s
tower is the most striking feature, rising six storeys in height, with walls tapering to
the corbels. On the ground floor are vaulted cellars, one of which was the circular vault
in a 14th century castle. The first floor doorway leads to the interior, the
floors of which have gone. However, one is impressed with the old masonry with the
mason’s marks, and the modern restoration works which includes leaded windows,
concrete vaulted corridor and spiral stair. Some old plaster still adorns the walls. The
stair leads to the parapet, which affords wide panoramas over the loch and Laich of Moray.
The
courtyard is surrounded by other ruinous buildings, the most complete of which is the
north west tower, containing a doocot. The water gate is a notable feature, located
between the kitchen ovens and the great hall (dates to 1500). The great hall has faces
carved on two corbels, and a deep well at the East End. The east gate dates from the 15th
century, and its external appearance is most attractive. The south range is basically now
a single wall, but here can be seen an ornate piscina in what was the chapel. |
