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Visiting Balvenie Castle
Balvenie Castle, originally known as Mortlach, is a rare example of Scottish military architecture. It was built in the 12th century by the Earls of Buchan. Later, it was expanded and renovated from the 15th to 16th centuries by the Earls of Atholl.
Parking
There is a small, free parking lot on-site, 65 meters (0.04 mile) from the visitor entrance.
However, the car park fills up fast, and there are no designated handicap spots, so if you can walk the mile to the castle from Dufftown, you may want to use the free city parking spots at:
The Square
3 Balvenie St
Dufftown, Moray AB55, UK
Price
Members of the Historic Environment Scotland and Explorer Pass Holders- Free
Adults- £6.00
Concession (60+ or unemployed with proof)- £4.80
Children (5 to 15 years old)- £3.60
Children under 5 years old- Free
Opening
Balvenie Castle is only open from 1 April to 30 September.
The site is open to visitors from Sunday to Saturday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM, with the last entry at 5:00 PM.
They are closed for lunch from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM.
Location and Access
Balvenie Castle is located at Castle Road, Dufftown, Keith, AB55 4GH in the Moray region of Scotland.
Neighbouring the castle is the famous Glenfiddich distillery, the source of one of Scotland's most famous whiskeys.
Travelling north on A941, turn left onto B975 near the distillery. Travel for 0.2 miles (0.32 kilometer), and you'll be at the castle.
Know Before You Go
- The castle is relatively small, and it will take around 30 minutes to tour the ruins.
- If you can, you might want to visit the castle in July when Dufftown hosts a Highland Games.
Places To Stay Nearby
Scorrybreck B&B Dufftown
Scorrybreck B&B is only 0.3 miles (0.5 km) away from Balvenie castle and a block away from the Dufftown pubs and Glenfiddich Brewery. So, if you stay here, you won't need to take any taxis or drive anywhere.
With complimentary Scottish breakfast, wifi, parking, and laundry services, this B&B has all of the amenities you're looking for. They have excellent reviews, and their rooms are always clean and well-equipped to make your stay fantastic.
Hobbit Hideaway
The Hobbit Hideaway is a unique place to stay, and it will surely be a memorable trip if you choose this inn! The hobbit hideaways have several roundhouses equipped with kitchens, private bathrooms, bbq pits, wood-burning stoves, skylights, and comfy beds that make you feel right at home.
They also allow pets and stock your kitchen before you get there, so you will have everything you need to get the most out of your stay at Hobbit Hideaway!
The Hobbit Hideaway is 3.8 miles (6.1 km) from Balvenie castle, so you may want to bring a bike or car if you stay here.
The Milking Sheds
0.6 miles away from Balvenie Castle, the Milking Shed is a 4-star place to stay. They rent out cottages for up to a week at a time, so you can have your own private spot while you're in Dufftown. Equipped with smart-home features, immaculate bathrooms, kitchens, and private entrances, you will have your own home away from home here.
They offer amenities like free parking, free wifi, and a fully equipped kitchen for an affordable price, so you can't go wrong with the Milking Sheds. Their cottages are also right in the centre of Dufftown, so you won't have to drive at all when you're here.
History of Balvenie Castle (Time Line)
The history of Balvenie castle is not as well-documented as we might like it to be, but it had much significance in Scotland's past. It went through three major phases defined by its occupants: the Black Comyns, the Douglas family, and the Stewarts.
-Ca. 1209- 1212 (The Comyn Family Gains Balvenie)
Sometime between 1209 and 1212, Marjory, the Countess of Buchan, married William Comyn, Lord of Badenoch. Comyn was one of the most powerful noblemen in all of Scotland.
When he married Marjory, William Comyn became the Earl of Buchan. By marriage, he gained land in the historical district of Buchan, which was in the Pictish kingdom of Ce (roughly where modern Aberdeenshire is.
Through this marriage, the Comyns gained the land that Balvenie castle stands on today.
-Ca. 1250-1300 (Construction of Balvenie Castle)
Sometime in the second half of the 13th century, one of the sons of William Comyn built Balvenie castle in Glen Fiddich. No one is sure which son had the castle built, but many scholars suggest that Alexander Comyn, the 2nd Earl of Buchan, designed the estate.
-1306
John Comyn II of Badenoch, also called the Red Comyn, started a lot of drama for the Comyn family in the early 1300s. John Comyn was so powerful that he had a right to claim the throne of Scotland in 1305. However, Comyn supported another candidate named John Balliol.
The only other viable candidate for kingship was Robert the Bruce, who despised John Comyn and sought to gain his favour. In 1306, Robert and John Comyn got into an argument, and eventually, Robert's supporters stabbed John to death.
Afterwards, Robert the Bruce became Robert I, King of Scots. In reaction, the entire Comyn family supported King Edward I of England, who opposed Robert the Bruce.
-1308 (Balvenie Castle is Abandoned)
In 1308, Robert the Bruce led an attack on Balvenie castle. This attack left the estate in ruins and made it completely unlivable. The surviving Comyns fled, leaving the estate desolate for some 100 years.
-1409 (The Douglas Family Gains Balvenie Castle)
No one knows what happened to the castle between 1308 and the early 1400s, but sometime in the early 15th century, Balvenie belonged to Archibald Douglas The Grim, the 3rd Earl of Douglas. The Douglas family owned Balvenie for 50 years.
The Douglas family likely renovated and repaired the castle, fixing the damage Robert the Bruce made in 1308.
-1455
In 1455, James II confiscated Balvenie in a power struggle with the powerful Douglas family.
-1460 (Balvenie Castle is Reconstructed under the Earls of Atholl)
In 1460, James II granted Balvenie to his half-brother John Stewart, the Earl of Atholl and Margaret, his wife. They completed many renovation projects and made the castle grand again.
As rent to James I, John and Margaret Stewart were required to pay the king one red rose every year on the feast of John the Baptist.
The Earls of Atholl lived happily in Balvenie castle for 200 years into the 17th century. They added many features, including new ranges and the beautiful Atholl lodging.
Balvenie Castle Occupants
Over time, Balvenie Castle housed many notable and influential families in Scotland. Some of the most famous occupants include:
- William Comyn, the Warden of Moray, Lord of Badenoch, Earl of Buchan
- Alexander Comyn, 2nd Earl of Buchan
- John Comyn, 3rd Earl of Buchan
- Archibald Douglas the Grim, 3rd Earl of Douglas
- Archibald Douglas, the 4th Earl of Douglas, Duke of Touraine
- William Douglas, the 6th Earl of Douglas
- James Douglas "The Gross," the 7th Earl of Douglas
- John Stewart, The 1st Earl of Atholl and the next 4 Earls of Atholl, all named John Stewart
- William Duff, the last resident of Balvenie, who committed suicide in the castle.
Images of Balvenie Castle
Images Supplied and licensed from Shutterstock Standard Licence Package
Balvenie Castle Facts
King Edward, I of England visited Balvenie Castle in 1304 to show his support for the Comyn family.
In 1562, The Earl of Atholl entertained Mary, Queen of Scots, at Balvenie Castle.
The oldest part of the castle is the curtain wall. This frontal wall is part of the original castle's structure, built in the 1200s.
Some people believe that Balvenie Castle is haunted by a white lady, two grooms, and two horses.
Balvenie Castle Q&A
Are Dogs Allowed at the Site?
Dogs and other pets are allowed to visit the castle, but they must be kept on a leash at all times.
Is the Castle Handicap-Accessible?
The parking lot, bathrooms, and much of the castle is handicap accessible. Still, the ground is uneven in some places inside the ruins. Also, if you want to see the upper stories of the castle and the towers, you will need to climb narrow, spiral staircases.
Is There a Toilet at the Park?
There are handicap-accessible restrooms at Balvenie castle near the main entrance.
Can I Bring Food to the Castle?
You can bring food and enjoy a lovely picnic out by the ruins of Balvenie. There are several picnic tables, so you won't have to sit on the ground either. You can also buy snacks at the shop near the Castle entrance.
Location of Balvenie Castle
Castle Rd, Dufftown, Keith AB55 4GH, United Kingdom.
Other Places To Visit Near Balvenie Castle
Glenfiddich Distillery
Of all things, Dufftown is well-known for its whiskey manufacture. Stop by Glenfiddich Distillery, which is less than a block from Balvenie Castle, to chill out after a long day spent outdoors. The distillery touts the world's most awarded single-malt whiskey, so don't hesitate to grab a drink after touring the castle!
Dufftown Clock Tower
In the heart of Dufftown stands a massive clock tower that used to be a prison. It's not a prison anymore, but you can see where the windows were bricked in to make the clock tower. Nowadays, the bottom floor houses a visitor information centre, so make sure to check it out on your way to see the castle.
The Giant's Chair
Take the Giant's Chair Walk (click the link to see a map of the route) around Dufftown to see some of its best features. The walk is 2 miles (3.2 km) in total, and it starts at the clock tower in the city centre. Then, the walk will take you past some of the most famous whiskey distilleries in the world. After that, check out the Giant's Chair at the River Dulhan, a fantastic and serene waterfall shrouded by a fairy garden.
Final Thoughts
Balvenie Castle is an essential part of Scottish history, and it is quite a fantastic sight to see. Surrounded by the quaint and fun town of Dufftown, you'll never be bored here. There is always plenty to see and do, whether you want to taste the world's finest whiskey, explore the Scottish forest, or brush up on your history.
Sources
- Scorrybrack B&B Dufftown: En-Suite Rooms.
- The Hobbit Hideaway: A Unique and Beautiful Self-Catering Cottage in Moray.
- Historic Environment Scotland: Balvenie Castle.
- University of Aberdeen: Family and ‘Faction’: The Comyns and Scottish Politics, c.1200-1249.
- English Monarchs: John Comyn the Red, Lord of Badenoch.
- Proceedings of the Society for Antiquities in Scotland: The Development of Balvenie Castle.
- Douglas History: Balvenie Castle.
- Undiscovered Scotland: Balvenie Castle.
- Stravaiging: Balvenie Castle.
- Travel Fuels Life: Balvenie Castle.
- Glenfiddich Distillery: Single Malt Scotch Whiskey.
- Moray Ways: Dufftown- The Giant’s Chair.