Castles · Scottish Highlands
Balvenie Castle
In or near Craigellachie.
Balvenie Castle — ruined castle in Moray, Scotland, UK.
Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1.5 h–3 h
- Nearest railway station
- Dufftown · 0.7 km
- Paid entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
About
Balvenie Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Wikidata describes it as: "ruined castle in Moray, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 57.4529°, -3.1240°.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2019
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
From Historic Environment Scotland
A wide ditch encircles this striking, curtain-walled castle. Built in the 1200s as the seat of the powerful earls of Buchan, the heavily fortified stronghold became an elegant lodging in the 1500s.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Balvenie Castle is a ruined castle 1 km north of Dufftown in the Moray region of Scotland.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
Originally known as Mortlach, it was acquired by Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan in the 13th century after "he surrendered part of his inheritance in order to build up his north-east possessions. Significantly, Alexander Comyn exchanged territory in Tranent (East Lothian) for Mortlach and its important castle of Balvenie, in Highland Banffshire - a charter of 1285 shows this transaction had taken place a generation earlier. Balvenie was a most valuable strategic site, making a bridge between Buchan and the lordship of Badenoch (and Lochaber) the two real seats of power for the Comyns in the thirteenth-century Scotland." Balvenie Castle was extended and altered in the 15th and 16th…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 57.4529, -3.1240
- District
- Moray
- Postcode
- AB55 4GH
- Parliamentary constituency
- Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
- Phone
- 01340 820 121
- Nearest railway station
- Dufftown — 0.7 km
- Opening
- 1 April – 30 September: Wed–Sun 10am–4.30pm; closed Mon–Tue and 1 October – 31 March
- Official site
- www.historicenvironment.scot
Sources
- wikidata: Q805847 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Balvenie Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Balvenie Castle - George Washington Wilson - ABDMS018095.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Keith and Dufftown Railway
Heritage railways · 0.2 km
Keith and Dufftown Railway
Heritage railways · 0.2 km
The Glenfiddich Distillery Visitor Centre
Natural landmarks · 0.3 km
Bridge of Poolinch
Historic bridges · 0.3 km
Keith and Dufftown Railway
Heritage railways · 0.3 km
Glenfiddich Distillery
Distilleries · 0.4 km
Keith and Dufftown Railway
Heritage railways · 0.4 km
Keith and Dufftown Railway
Heritage railways · 0.4 km
Keith and Dufftown Railway
Heritage railways · 0.4 km
Mortlach Parish War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 0.5 km
War Memorial, Balvenie Street, Dufftown
Memorials & monuments · 0.5 km
Glendullan Distillery
Distilleries · 0.5 km
Nearby
📷 3Heritage railways · Scottish Highlands
Keith and Dufftown Railway
Keith and Dufftown Railway is a heritage railway in the United Kingdom.
📷 3Heritage railways · Scottish Highlands
Keith and Dufftown Railway
Keith and Dufftown Railway is a heritage railway in the United Kingdom.
📷 3Natural landmarks · Scottish Highlands
The Glenfiddich Distillery Visitor Centre
The Glenfiddich Distillery Visitor Centre — a natural landmark in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic bridges · Scottish Highlands
Bridge of Poolinch
Bridge of Poolinch — category C listed building-listed bridge in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Heritage railways · Scottish Highlands
Keith and Dufftown Railway
Keith and Dufftown Railway is a heritage railway in the United Kingdom.
📷 3Distilleries · Scottish Highlands
Glenfiddich Distillery
Glenfiddich Distillery — Whisky/spirit distillery.
Where to eat & stay near Balvenie Castle
Places to stay
📷 3Campsites · Scottish Highlands
Aberlour Gardens Camping Park
Aberlour Gardens Camping Park — a campsite in scotland highlands.
📷 7Hotels · Scottish Highlands
Craigellachie Hotel
Craigellachie Hotel — a hotel in scotland highlands.
📷 5Campsites · Scottish Highlands
Speyside by Craigellachie
Speyside by Craigellachie — a campsite in scotland highlands.
📷 5
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands
Burnside Caravan Park
Burnside Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland highlands.
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands
Huntly Castle Caravan Park
Huntly Castle Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland highlands.
Places to eat & drink
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands
Seafield Arms Hotel, 84, 86 Mid Street, Keith
Seafield Arms Hotel, 84, 86 Mid Street, Keith in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Scottish Highlands
Forbes Arms Hotel, Milltown of Rothiemay
Forbes Arms Hotel, Milltown of Rothiemay in Scotland Highlands, United Kingdom.
More castles in this region
📷 3Castles · Scottish Highlands
Aberdeen Castle
Aberdeen Castle — castle in Aberdeen City, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Castles · Scottish Highlands
Abergairn Castle
Abergairn Castle — castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.
📷 2Castles · Scottish Highlands
Aberscross Castle
Aberscross Castle — castle near Dornoch, Highland, Scotland, UK, ruinous by the 17th century.
📷 3Castles · Scottish Highlands
Aboyne Castle
Aboyne Castle — castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.
Frequently asked questions
- Where is Balvenie Castle?
- Balvenie Castle is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode AB55 4GH).
- What is Balvenie Castle?
- Balvenie Castle — ruined castle in Moray, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Balvenie Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Dufftown, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can use postcode AB55 4GH.
- Does Balvenie Castle charge admission?
- Balvenie Castle typically charges admission. Check the official site for current ticket prices and opening hours.
- How do I get to Balvenie Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Dufftown, about 0.7 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode AB55 4GH.