Auchindoun Castle

Auchindoun Castle is a castle in Moray, cared for by Historic Environment Scotland. Read about its history and architecture, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Auchindoun Castle

Auchindoun Castle is a ruined 15th-century L-plan tower house near Dufftown in Moray.

It may have been built by Thomas Cochrane, a favourite of King James III.

The castle's stone vaults reflect the sophistication of its original construction.

Historic Environment Scotland cares for the site, which is open all year round.

The castle stands alone in a largely empty Highland landscape, giving it a stark presence that few ruins possess.

History of Auchindoun Castle

The Ogilvy family held the castle in the early 1500s before selling it to Sir Adam Gordon in 1567. Gordon became notorious following the killing of everyone inside Corgarff Castle during a feud in 1571. In revenge, William Mackintosh burned Auchindoun. By 1725 the castle had fallen derelict and was never rebuilt.

Architecture of Auchindoun Castle

The castle is an L-plan tower house of 15th-century date, built with a series of fine stone vaults that reflect a fairly advanced level of fortification for its time.

Worth knowing

Sir Adam Gordon's ownership links the castle directly to one of the most brutal feuds of 16th-century Scotland, the massacre at Corgarff Castle in 1571.

Facilities

Parking

Plan your visit to Auchindoun Castle

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Dufftown (Keith and Dufftown Railway) (2.9 miles)

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Places to visit near Auchindoun Castle

Balvenie Castle

castle 2.6 miles

View Balvenie Castle on heritage map

Ballindalloch Castle

historic house 10 miles

Visit Ballindalloch Castle View Ballindalloch Castle on heritage map

Huntly Castle

castle 12 miles

View Huntly Castle on heritage map

St Marys Kirk Auchindoir

church 12 miles

View St Marys Kirk Auchindoir on heritage map

Leith Hall

historic house 13 miles

View Leith Hall on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Auchindoun Castle there are 1 historic properties, including 1 castle.

1 Historic Environment Scotland

1 Castle

See these 1 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Auchindoun Castle there are 1 historic properties, including 1 castle.

1 Historic Environment Scotland

1 Castle

See these 1 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Auchindoun Castle there are 15 historic properties, including 7 castles, 3 churchs and 3 historic houses, across Historic Environment Scotland, Historic Houses and National Trust for Scotland sites.

11 Historic Environment Scotland

3 Historic Houses

1 National Trust for Scotland

7 Castle

3 Church

3 Historic house

1 Archaeological site

1 Museum