Listing Region: Aberdeen and the North East

Kildrummy Castle

This large thirteenth century castle passed to the Erskine earls of Mar in 1626. They remained loyal to the catholic King James VII and II following his exile in 1688, and eventually became well-known Jacobites. In 1689 the castle was burned down by local Jacobites to prevent it being used by Government troops during the Jacobite rising of that year. In 1715, John Erskine returned to Kildrummy to begin a rising in support of James VII’s son, Prince James Francis Edward Stuart, ‘the Old Pretender’. When it failed, the earl went into exile, and Kildrummy remained a ruin. It is now in the care of Historic Environment Scotland.

Access

Seasonal opening hours (please check). Admission charge (free to HS members).

Website

https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/kildrummy-castle/overview/

Contact

telephone: 01975 571 331

Area of interest

1689 1715

Castle Fraser

Built in the fifteenth century with later additions it is one of the largest tower houses in Scotland. Clan Fraser were (generally!) Jacobite supporters and included the famous Simon 'the Fox' Fraser, Lord Lovat. Some of his letters are on display in the castle.

Access

Seasonal opening, please check. Admission charge (free to NTS members).

Website

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/castle-fraser/

Contact

email: castlefraser@nts.org.uk
telephone: 01330833463

Area of interest

1715 1719 1745

Leith Hall, Aberdeenshire

Built in 1650, with later additions. Ten generations of the Leith-Hay family lived here until just after the Second World War. They donated the house to the National Trust for Scotland along with all their furnishings and art. The collections contain several interesting items gifted to the family by Prince Charles Edward.

Access

Seasonal opening. Admission charge (free to NTS members).

Website

https://www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/leith-hall/

Contact

email: leithhall@nts.org.uk
telephone: 01464 831216

Area of interest

1745 Prince Charles Edward

Cromdale

Location

On the hillside to the east of the A95 at Cromdale village where there is parking. The Kirk is next to the River Spey to the NW of the village.

Location

On the hillside to the east of the A95 at Cromdale village where there is parking. The Kirk is next to the River Spey to the NW of the village.

Site of the final battle of the 1689 Rising on 1 May 1690. The Jacobite force of 1,500 was surprised in its camps at dawn by a larger government force and forced to flee. The Jacobites may have lost up to 400 men killed or captured. Lethendry Castle and the 'Piper's Stone' (both signposted locally) have links to the battle. A memorial plaque is fixed on the Watch House adjacent to the Kirk where the Government forces crossed the River Spey.

Access

No restrictions. A battlefield leaflet is available locally (see weblink for download).

Website

https://www.breakawaylodges.com/desktop/web/ckfinder/userfiles/files/3792%20BATTLE%20OF%20CROMDALE%20LEAFLET.pdf

Area of interest

1689 Battlefield