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Kildrummy Castle (HS)

Kildrummy, Alford

Called the 'Queen of Highland Castles' this was a stronghold of the Earls of Mar. With its four towers, great hall and chapel, Kildrummy was unrivalled in the north-east as a fortress-residence.Edward I of England – 'Hammer of the Scots' – visited Kildrummy in 1296 and 1303. It is likely that his mason-architect, Master James of St George, was responsible for the design of the once massive gatehouse.In 1306 Sir Neil Bruce, brother of King Robert, held the castle for the Scots. Besieged by an English army under Edward, Prince of Wales, he beat off every assault. He was, however, forced to surrender by the treachery of a blacksmith who had been bribed to set fire to the castle from within. The castle remained a residence of nobility until the early 18th century. For the next two hundred years it was little more than a romantic ruin used as a handy stone quarry.Interpretative displays, shop.