Abergeldie Castle
Abergeldie Castle is six miles west of Ballater on the banks of the River Dee. From Aberdeen take the A93
Abergeldie Castle is a tower house style of castle located in Royal Deeside near the Royal Family country home at Balmoral near Ballater. The castle is three storeys tall with an attic in height and vaulted basement. The Great Hall on the first floor is vaulted. The interior has been restored and is in original condition.
The Castle was built in the 16th century by Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar who later became the Earl of Huntly. The Castle remained in the Gordon family for years, except for a short time during the first Jacobite rising when it was used it as a troop garrison. Price Albert obtained a long term lease of the castle in 1848, and future generations of Royals, including King Edward VII and George V used the Castle as a summer home.
Legends
Abergeldie Castle is supposed to be haunted by "French Kate" the ghost of a French women called Kittie Rankie. Poor Kate was wrongly accused on being a witch and burnt at the stake. Her ghost has been seen in the Castle cellars where she was imprisoned before her execution.