Beaufort Castle, Beauly, United Kingdom

The present Beaufort castle is a Baronial style mansion built in 1880, but incorporates older building work. There has been a castle on the site since the 12th century. Beaufort is the traditional seat of the Lords Lovat. The earliest mention of the site, as Downie or Dounie Castle, occurs in the reign of Alexander I (1106–1124), when a siege took place. The original castle was built by the Byset family. The castle came into the hands of the Frasers in the late 13th century. English forces besieged the castle in 1303.

In the 1650s Dounie was attacked and burned by the forces of Oliver Cromwell during their invasion of Scotland. It was again razed by the Duke of Cumberland in Jacobite Rising of 1745, and the estate was declared forfeit. In 1815 the estate was inherited by Thomas Fraser of Strichen (1802–1875), who was reinstated to the Lordship of Lovat in 1854. In 1839 he commissioned William Burn to extend the house, and also improved the grounds and estate. His son Simon Fraser, 13th Lord Lovat (1828–1887), built the present Beaufort Castle, to designs by James Maitland Wardrop, incorporating part of the 18th-century house.

The Baronial mansion incorporates a private Roman Catholic chapel. The remains of Dounie Castle stand beside the house, and comprise a single wall, 11 metres long and 1.5 metres high.

References:

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Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

User Reviews

Chloe Smith (2 years ago)
Wow, I can’t believe that people actually get to live in such stunning places. I explored some of the grounds as I was staying in one of their cottages for a holiday. Would recommend looking at their holiday cottages as this was a stunning part of Scotland to visit.

Gar Yos (2 years ago)
I don’t think this is a castle that you can visit.. but it’s beautiful nevertheless

Grant Cossar (2 years ago)
Beautiful castle and grounds

azzan alyarubi (3 years ago)
Stayed in a cottage near the castle and almost every day we enjoyed a walk to see it. Beautiful castle but it’s private and you can’t go inside. The gardens around are also beautiful.

Dave Grant (4 years ago)
Beaufort Castle is a beautiful building, and a lovely area to walk

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