📌 Dufftown, Moray
★★★
This 13th century castle on the north side of Dufftown was built as the seat of the powerful Comyn earls of Buchan, who once ruled a vast swathe of the Highlands from the east to west coasts. Though now lying ruined, Balvenie is one of Scotland’s oldest castles, with its imposing curtain wall around 750 years old. Over the centuries it underwent several changes of ownership (first being taken by Robert the Bruce in 1306), and was eventually renovated to become a comfortable lodging as society and priorities changed. Somewhat ironically, the castle is now overshadowed by the famous Glenfiddich Distillery nearby, which attracts a far greater number of visitors; even the distillery car park dwarfs the castle in size. On the plus side, you have a good chance of getting the castle all to yourself in the shoulder seasons.
🌍 Location
📌 Castle Road (B975), 0.5 mi north of Dufftown
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NJ 326409
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 57.453138,-3.124521
🚌 Bus to Glenfiddich Distillery | 🚆 Dufftown, on Keith & Dufftown heritage railway
🚗 Car park
📝 Key info
⌚ Wednesday to Sunday, 29 March to September 2024
🎫 £7.50 adult / £4.50 child / free for Historic Environment Scotland members
