Cluny Castle Aberdeenshire

Cluny Castle in Aberdeenshire appears as a massive 19th century mansion, but it does hide inside the late 16th/early 17th century tower house of the Gordons. Not visible from any public roads, it lies on a low rise overlooking boggy ground to the north.

The rectangular mansion has massive drum towers at the rear corners and two more on the main facade, with extensions and a courtyard to the rear. The refaced old tower house occupies the left hand side when looking from the front. Having passed through several families by marriage since they were granted by Robert Bruce to his sister, by 1600 they were held by Thomas Gordon. An earlier castle known as the Peel of Cluny (site unknown) was mentioned in 1535, and a (now vanished) wet moat was recorded in the 18th century imply that the Z-plan tower of c1604 may incorporate earlier work. However Thomas Gordon overreached himself at Cluny, which was repossessed by his creditors and by 1680 it was held by another branch of the family. Today the castle remains the private home of the Linzee Gordon family, although it can be hired for functions.

Official Cluny Castle website

HES Canmore database