Balvenie Castle
Home of the Black Comyn

Balvenie Castle lies a mile north of Dufftown, and is strategically located in Glenfiddich in the Grampian Region of Scotland. The castle's beginnings date to the 13th Century when Marjory, daughter of Fergus, the last Celtic Earl of Buchan, married William Comyn, one of the new breed of Scottish noblemen. He became the new earl, as well as Lord of Balvenie. It was either William or their son, Alexander, who built this castle.

From its strategically significant position in the Glen, Balvenie Castle allowed the immensely powerful "Black" Comyn earls to rule over this Celtic province until being wiped out by King Robert The Bruce in the 14th century.

The castle apparently stood vacant for a few years before it was occupied in the early 1400's by the "Black" Douglases, that formidable baronial family who provided many of Bruce's warriors.

King James II caused the next turnover around 1455. He wiped out the Douglases and assigned the province to a kinsman. By 1455 the castle became a Stewart castle, and was abandoned in 1720.

The curtain wall no longer stands. However, one can see very impressive markings where a moat once surrounded the castle. Though there were no famous sieges or notable battles here, this would have appeared a striking fortification to anyone who approached.

The Castle was visited by Mary Queen of Scots in 1562.

The property is currently managed by Historic Scotland, and you can visit between April and September for £1.50.

For more detailed information and pictures, please visit Undiscovered Scotland: The Ultimate Online Guide.

Map of Scotland. Castle location shown in red.

Balvenie Castle, Scotland
© Catriona Fraser

Exterior stonework on the castle
© Undiscovered Scotland

This view is from the inside of the courtyard
looking towards the front gate.
© C.Garner & P.Wright

An artist's rendering of the castle in the 13th century.
© Andrew Spratt

Floor plan for the castle's ground floor
© C.Garner & P.Wright