Duffus Castle

Duffus Castle is a great example of an early 12th century motte and bailey castle near Elgin.

The castle was built on what was once the swampy marshland of Spynie Loch, making it a much more defensive position back then. Today, it is a fantastic place to visit, with the views stretching for miles around.

The first castle at Duffus was built by the Flemish nobleman, Freskin. In 1130, Oengus of Moray was killed during a battle against King David I of Scotland, and the King made Freskin his chief agent in Moray.

In 1140, Freskin prepared the earthwork, and built a timber motte and bailey castle. The steep sided motte was surrounded by a deep ditch, and timber buildings built on the flat top. The bailey courtyard contained the essential buildings such as a bake house, stables and living accommodation. In 1151, King David is known to have stayed here.

By the 13th century Freskin's descendants referred to themselves as 'of Moray', and were now one of the most powerful families in the north of Scotland.

In 1270, the castle passed to Reginald le Chen of Inverugie, through his marriage to Freskin's descendant, Mary de Moray.

Although the castle was destroyed in 1297, Chen replaced it with a bigger and better version.

In 1305, King Edward I of England is known to have granted Chen 200 oaks from the local royal forests, to be used in the building of the castle. They were probably used on the flooring, beams and roofing for the new and improved stone structure.

Chen built a rectangular two storey tower house.

The ground floor would have been used for storage and the accommodation for the laird's household. The first floor contained a hall, bed chamber and latrine for the laird, and the second floor had two doors allowing access to the wall walk. The narrow windows would have made it more defendable, and the ground floor entrance door would have had a heavy iron portcullis gate.

There would have also been buildings around the courtyard, as there are putlog holes in the curtain wall.

On Chen's death in 1345, it passed to his daughter, who married the son of the Earl of Sutherland. Sutherland was himself was a descendant of Freskin, which meant it remained in the family.

It is unknown when the subsidence of the tower house took place, but there is evidence of repairs to the tower prior to it sliding down the motte.

At some point the tower house would have been abandoned for the the new accommodation that was built along the north curtain wall.

The new buildings along the north wall consisted of a kitchen, a hall with a reception room and a large bedroom chamber.

In 1689, John Graham, the Viscount of Dundee, stayed here before he attended the Battle of Killiecrankie. Although his side was victorious, he himself did not survive.

In 1705, the castle was abandoned in favour of Duffas House which is now Gordonstoun School.

There is a car park next to the castle, with a small coffee van and portaloo.

The path to the castle turns left, taking you alongside the water before crossing a bridge providing access to the site.

Duffus Castle is a Scheduled Monument with Historic Environment Scotland.