Aberdour Castle

Aberdour, United Kingdom

Aberdour Castle is located in the village of Easter Aberdour. Parts of the castle date from around 1200, making Aberdour one of the two oldest datable standing castles in Scotland, along with Castle Sween in Argyll, which was built at around the same time.

The earliest part of the castle comprised a modest hall house, on a site overlooking the Dour Burn. Over the next 400 years, the castle was successively expanded according to contemporary architectural ideas. The hall house became a tower house in the 15th century, and was extended twice in the 16th century. The final addition was made around 1635, with refined Renaissance details, and the whole was complemented by a walled garden to the east and terraced gardens to the south. The terraces, dating from the mid-16th century, form one of the oldest gardens in Scotland, and offer extensive views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh.

The castle is largely the creation of the Douglas Earls of Morton, who held Aberdour from the 14th century. The earls used Aberdour as a second home until 1642, when their primary residence, Dalkeith House, was sold. A fire in the late 17th century was followed by some repairs, but in 1725 the family purchased nearby Aberdour House, and the medieval castle was allowed to fall into decay. Today, only the 17th-century wing remains roofed, while the tower has mostly collapsed. Aberdour Castle is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, and is open to the public all year.

References:

Comments

Your name



Details

Founded: c. 1200
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

Rating

4.6/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Helen Donald (10 months ago)
Very lovely Castle with a small church not far from the grounds. Would definetly recommend a visit
Sen Sen Lin Quan (11 months ago)
Amazing castle with interesting ruins and history. We went on the 29/04/23. The lady at the front desk was absolutely amazing and welcoming. Despite the weather not being the most ideal- I enjoyed very much visiting this castle and it’s clockwise stairwell. There was also an old church next door which was magnificent
David Ferguson (11 months ago)
Another excellent Historic Scotland site. Part ruined but with some indoor areas. Lots to see, including an excellent garden area.
Shari Holland (11 months ago)
Toured this lovely ruin & discovered that my ancestors lived here!
Paul Hanna (11 months ago)
Lovely well looked after castle . Not the biggest but big beautiful gardens. Looking forward to coming back for a picnic in sunny weather. Very welcoming staff. Good visit.
Powered by Google

Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

Historic Site of the week

Linderhof Palace

Linderhof is the smallest of the three palaces built by King Ludwig II of Bavaria and the only one which he lived to see completed.

Ludwig II, who was crowned king in 1864, began his building activities in 1867-1868 by redesigning his rooms in the Munich Residenz and laying the foundation stone of Neuschwanstein Castle. In 1868 he was already making his first plans for Linderhof. However, neither the palace modelled on Versailles that was to be sited on the floor of the valley nor the large Byzantine palace envisaged by Ludwig II were ever built.

Instead, the new building developed around the forester's house belonging to his father Maximilian II, which was located in the open space in front of the present palace and was used by the king when crown prince on hunting expeditions with his father.