Castles · Scottish Highlands
Duffus Castle
In or near Hopeman.
Duffus Castle — 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
- Elgin · 5.8 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Limited wheelchair access
Getting there & planning your visit
Duffus Castle is located in the Scottish Highlands, with the nearest railway station being Elgin, which is 5.8 km away. Entry to the castle is free, but wheelchair accessibility is limited. You can use the postcode IV30 5RH for sat-nav directions.
About
Duffus Castle is a castle in the United Kingdom — fortified architecture from the medieval, Tudor, or Victorian-revival period. Records date its origin to 1140. Designed by Freskin. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Wikidata describes it as: "castle in Moray, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 57.6878°, -3.3614°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Duffus Castle, near Elgin, Moray, Scotland, was a motte-and-bailey castle and was in use from c. 1140 to 1705. During its occupation it underwent many alterations. The most fundamental was the destruction of the original wooden structure and its replacement with one of stone. At the time of its establishment, it was one of the most secure fortifications in Scotland. At the death of the 2nd Lord Duffus in 1705, the castle had become totally unsuitable as a dwelling and so was abandoned.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
From Historic Environment Scotland
Get an overview of Duffus Castle, a fortress-residence for more than 500 years. Visit the stunning site today or contact Historic Environment Scotland for more information.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
Duffus Castle, near Elgin, Moray, Scotland, was a motte-and-bailey castle and was in use from c. 1140 to 1705. During its occupation it underwent many alterations. The most fundamental was the destruction of the original wooden structure and its replacement with one of stone. At the time of its establishment, it was one of the most secure fortifications in Scotland. At the death of the 2nd Lord Duffus in 1705, the castle had become totally unsuitable as a dwelling and so was abandoned.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Description
Oengus, Mormaer of Moray, led a rebellion against David I, King of Scots in 1130. After Oengus' defeat and death in battle, David installed Freskin, a nobleman probably of Flemish origin, as his chief agent in Moray, and he was probably the first to build a castle at Duffus. Freskin’s background is uncertain. The consensus amongst historians is that he was of Flemish background, the principal argument being that "Freskin" is a Flemish name. Undoubtedly, King David, himself a Scoto-Norman monarch with extensive estates in northern England and Normandy, granted lands to many nobles from Flanders as well as Normans. The unlikely alternatives are that he may have been an Anglo-Saxon or a Scot…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 57.6878, -3.3614
- District
- Moray
- Postcode
- IV30 5RH
- Parliamentary constituency
- Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey
- Established
- 1140
- Nearest railway station
- Elgin — 5.8 km
- Opening
- Open all year round
- Official site
- www.historicenvironment.scot
Sources
- wikidata: Q2789683 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Duffus Castle (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Duffuscastle1.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Ogston Market Cross
Memorials & monuments · 1.7 km
Michael Kirk, Gordonstoun
Historic churches · 1.7 km
St Peter's Kirk, Duffus
Historic churches · 2.0 km
Old Mercat Cross
Memorials & monuments · 2.0 km
Duffus, Old Parish Church
Historic churches · 2.0 km
Drainie Old Parish Church
Historic houses · 2.2 km
Duffus
Villages · 2.4 km
Duffus War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 2.5 km
Parish Church, Duffus Village
Historic churches · 2.5 km
Spynie Parish Church and Enclosing Walls, New Spynie
Historic churches · 3.1 km
Quarrelwood Castle
Castles · 3.2 km
Plewlands Hill
Mountains & hills · 3.3 km
Nearby
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands
Ogston Market Cross
Ogston Market Cross — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic churches · Scottish Highlands
Michael Kirk, Gordonstoun
Michael Kirk, Gordonstoun — category A listed building-listed church in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Historic churches · Scottish Highlands
St Peter's Kirk, Duffus
St Peter's Kirk, Duffus — church and churchyard ruins in Duffus, Moray, Scotland, UK.
📷 3Memorials & monuments · Scottish Highlands
Old Mercat Cross
Old Mercat Cross — a memorial in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic churches · Scottish Highlands
Duffus, Old Parish Church
Duffus, Old Parish Church — part of a Scheduled Monument-listed church in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
📷 3Historic houses · Scottish Highlands
Drainie Old Parish Church
Drainie Old Parish Church — a historic house in scotland-highlands, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Duffus Castle
Places to stay
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands
Silver Sands Leisure Park
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📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands
Riverside Caravan Park Elgin
Riverside Caravan Park Elgin — a caravan park in scotland highlands.
📷 5Hotels · Scottish Highlands
Mansion House Hotel & Country Club
Mansion House Hotel & Country Club — a hotel in scotland highlands.
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands
Station Caravan Park
Station Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland highlands.
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands
Lossiemouth Caravan Park
Lossiemouth Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland highlands.
📷 5Caravan parks · Scottish Highlands
Burghead Beach Caravan Park
Burghead Beach Caravan Park — a caravan park in scotland highlands.
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Duffus Castle?
- Duffus Castle is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode IV30 5RH).
- What is Duffus Castle?
- Duffus Castle — castle in Moray, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Duffus Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Elgin, about 5.8 km away. Drivers can use postcode IV30 5RH.
- When was Duffus Castle built?
- Built or established in 1140. Designed by Freskin.
- Is Duffus Castle a listed building?
- Duffus Castle is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Is Duffus Castle free to visit?
- Yes, Duffus Castle is free to enter.
- How do I get to Duffus Castle?
- The nearest railway station is Elgin, about 5.8 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode IV30 5RH.