Kildrummy New Castle, Gardens

Kildrummy Castle, from 13th century. The great castle of enclosure broods on the edge of the hole from which its stones were gouged. Although now shattered and broken, the smooth ashlar faces of its curving towers still gleam in the light. It was begun by Alexander II as a plain polygonal enclosure. The chapel was soon built, protruding, strangely, from the curtain wall. Possibly following a visit from Edward I of England in 1296, the towers, ashlar plinth and gatehouse were added, thereby creating a high medieval stone castle with donjon, archers' slits and portcullis, which was - Bothwell excepted - without rival in 13th century Scotland. Pit for counter-balanced drawbridge inserted (?15th century) into Edwardian gatehouse front. The Elphinstone Tower, a tower-house, was built at the west end of the hall in the 16th century.

Taken from "Aberdeenshire: Donside and Strathbogie - An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Ian Shepherd, 2006. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk