Huntly Castle
Huntly Castle is situated in the town of Huntly in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was the ancestral home of the chief of Clan Gordon, Earl of Huntly, and served as a baronial residence for five centuries. Many impressive features include a fine heraldic sculpture and inscribed stone friezes. Huntly Castle remained under the ownership of the Clan Gordon until 1923. The ruins of the castle are now cared for by Historic Scotland.
The castle is has a well-preserved five-story tower with adjoining great hall and supporting buildings. Parts of the original facade and interior stonework remain. The first castle on the site was a wooden castle built in the 12th century - a mound in the grounds of the existing castle is all that remains of the original. The castle was originally called Strathbogie Castle. King Robert the Bruce was a guest of the castle in 1307. The castle was granted to Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly in the 14th century. In 1452 the castle was burned down by the Earl of Moray, and subsequently extensively rebuilt by the first Earl of Huntly. Wings were added to the castle in the 16th and 17th centuries. In 1640 it was occupied by the Sottish Covenantor army under Major-General Robert Monro. In 1650 Charles II visited briefly on his way to the Battle of Worcester, defeat and exile. By the early eighteenth century it was falling into disrepair, and stones were pilfered by local house builders in the town. In 1746, during the Jacobite Risings, it was occupied by British Government troops.