Balvenie Castle was built in the late 13th century for the Comyn earls of Buchan. During the wars of Independence the Comyns fell foul of Robert the Bruce's ambitions for the throne. He murdered his rival, John Comyn (Red Comyn) at Greyfriar's Kirk, Dumfries on 10 February 1306, an action which led to his excommunication by the Pope. He then went on to ruthlessly raid the Buchan lands and destroy the Comyn family there. It is not known what happened to the castle during the following century.

In the early 15th century the castle was owned by the ‘Black Douglases’, one of the most powerful families in Scotland. Following the murder of William Douglas at the hands of King James II, the Black Douglases rebelled against the Stewart king. This was the excuse James needed to destroy the family, and by 1455 they were defeated and all their titles and estates were forfeited to the Crown. In 1460 the king granted Balvenie to John Stewart, first earl of Atholl.

The curtain wall that surrounds this courtyard castle was built by the Comyns, but the eastern side of the castle was completely remodelled in the 16th century by John Stewart, 4th earl of Atholl. He added a grand accommodation range that included a round tower on the east corner. When the fifth earl of Atholl died in 1595 he was survived by four daughters who surrendered their interests in the estates to the Crown. The castle frequently changed hands but remained occupied until the suicide of its owner, William Duff, in 1718. The castle was unroofed by 1724 and rapidly fell into ruin.

Location:

Near the Glenfiddich Distillery in Dufftown, off the A941

Address:

Balvenie Castle, Dufftown, Moray

Access:

Historic Scotland. Open to public. Entrance fee for non-members.

Contact:

Tel: 01340 820121

Map:

Castle location map

Website:

For further information visit www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

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