Balvenie Castle

The ruined courtyard castle of Balvenie is located to the north of Dufftown in Moray. Originally a Comyn family seat dating from the 13th Century, it was formerly known as Mortlach Castle. Granted to John Stewart, 1st Earl of Atholl in 1459, it remained in Stewart hands until 1610. Occupied by Jacobites after the Battle of Killiecrankie in 1689, Balvenie Castle was later garrisoned by government forces during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745-46. After the Battle of Culloden in 1746 it was finally abandoned. Notable visitors have included King Edward I of England, Mary Queen of Scots and the Marquis of Montrose who sought refuge here in 1644.

Coca-cola executive H. Burke Nicholson (1917 - 2007) bought the Barony of Balvenie in 1995 and became owner of the ruined castle, which is managed by Historic Environment Scotland.


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