The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry | Goblinshead | A comprehensive guide to 4,100 castles, towers, historic houses, stately homes and family lands
The Castles of Scotland by Martin Coventry | Goblinshead | A comprehensive guide to 4,100 castles, towers, historic houses, stately homes and family lands
The Castles of Scotland
The Castles of Scotland 

Ballindalloch Castle

Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in formal gardens and lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland.

Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland. Balvenie Castle (Many thanks and © Tom Wolf www.tom-wolf.com)

Moray: About 7.5 miles south-west of Charlestown of Aberlour, on minor roads north of A95, just east of River Avon, at Ballindalloch Castle.

 

Private   NJ 178365   OS: 28   AB37 9AX

 

OPEN: Open Good Fri-Sep, Sun-Fri 10.30-17.00, last admission 16.00, closed Sat; other times by appt throughout the year. Meetings and events. Holiday accommodationBallindalloch distillery.
Tel: 01807 500205   Web: www.ballindallochcastle.co.uk 

 

Ballindalloch Hishland Estate: www.ballindallochhighlandestate.com

 

Colour photo above © Tom Wolf www.tom-wolf.com

 

Last updated: 20/3/18

Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle (© Martin Coventry)

Ballindalloch Castle is an impressive, attractive and homely 16th-century Z-plan tower house, which was extended and altered in 1845. The old part consists of a main block with towers projecting at opposite corners. A round stair-tower in the middle of one front, which rises a storey higher than the main block, is crowned by a square watch-chamber. 

Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle (© Martin Coventry)

A lower wing was added in the 18th century, and in the 19th century the house was extended again. The walls of the tower are pierced by shot-holes and small windows. There are fine gardens and grounds.

Dining Room, Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle: dining room (© Ballindalloch Castle)
Umbrella Hall, Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle: Umbrella hall (© Ballindalloch Castle)

The tower has been greatly altered inside, but the basement is vaulted, and the hall would have been on the first floor, with private chambers occupying the floors above and in the towers. One fireplace is dated 1546. The castle was remodelled in the 18th and 19th centuries into an elegant and comfortable residence.

Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle (© Martin Coventry)
Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle (MacGibbon and Ross)

‘Balnadalach’ is marked on Pont’s map, and the place is depicted as an L-plan tower.
  The lands originally belonged to the Ballindalloch family, but passed to the Grants by 1499. There was an earlier castle, known as Castle Stripe [NJ 185361]. The story goes that the present castle was begun at another site, but any work carried out on the building was quickly dismantled, reputedly by fairies. A voice was heard telling that the castle should be built elsewhere and the present site was chosen.

Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle (© Martin Coventry)

The castle was captured and sacked by the Gordons during a feud, and was burned by the Marquis of Montrose after the Battle of Inverlochy in 1645. In the 18th century, it passed by marriage to the Macphersons. The house is still occupied by the Macpherson-Grants, and among many other attractions, has an extensive collection of 17th-century Spanish paintings.

Ballindalloch Castle, an impressive stronghold and homely mansion in lovely wooded grounds, long a property of the Macpherson Grants, and near Charlestown of Aberlour in Moray in northern Scotland. Ballindalloch Castle (old postcard)

A ‘Green Lady’ has reputedly been seen in the dining room, and reports of a ‘Pink Lady’ are also recorded. Another ghost is said to be that of General James Grant, who died in 1806. Grant was very proud of the improvements he had made to the estate, and his phantom is said to ride around the lands every night to survey his achievement. He is then said to go into the wine cellar.
  Another ghost, reportedly seen at the nearby Bridge of Avon, is that of a girl believed to have been unlucky in love.

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