Corgarff Castle

I have loved Corgarff Castle in Aberdeenshire since I first set eyes on it some 40 years ago. Its lonely location, its stern no-nonsense structure and the wonderful star-shaped wall all combine perfectly.

It was built c.1550 at the head of Strathdon to guard the route from Speyside to Deeside. It changed hands a number of times, and was in government hands by 1748, when the pavilions were added along with the star-shaped wall. It was derelict by the 1950s but has been immaculately restored to its 1748 vintage.

I was driving south from Banff towards Braemar and passed within a few miles of the castle, so diverted to visit it. A fair amount of snow had fallen and the track up to the car park was slippery. Corgarff is not a place for a pretty picture and this captures the sense of heavy weather on that day, at that time, not long before dusk.


Nikon D40X with tripod