Aboyne Castle

Aboyne Castle is a 13th-century castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland 0.75 mi (1.21 km) north of the town of Aboyne (Grid Reference NO5299). The location of Aboyne Castle was selected for its strategic position near the River Dee and controlling the northern end of one of the Mounth crossings. Aboyne Castle was formerly derelict, but was restored by the present Marquess of Huntly in 1979.

Architecture
The castle was constructed by the Bysets, lords of Strathdee and Aboyne, before 1233, as a motte and bailey. Edward I sent instructions for its fortification in 1307. It was later turned into a stone keep. In 1671, Charles Gordon, 1st Earl of Aboyne rebuilt the west wing as a tower house, parts of which are still visible. A mansion house was added in 1701 and an east wing in 1801. In 1869, kitchen improvements were made using granite and stepped gables. The Mansion House was updated in the 1880s by Sir Cunliffe Brooks by adding baronial-style ornamentation. George Truefitt did some restoration work in the later part of the 19th century. The castle was remodelled in 1986 by Ian Begg.

The structure is three storeys with a basement and attic. The east elevation is symmetrical, while the north (entrance), south, and west are asymmetrical. A heraldic panel is located between the second and third windows of the north elevation, as is a decorative ironwork finial and a weathercock finial. There is a baronial tower house, an angled tower to the north-west, a four-storey basement, and an attic tower to the north. The oldest section of the castle is the north-west which incorporates a balustrade atop a five-storey circular tower that is corbelled to square. This tower was replicated later at the north-east. The castle is harled and lime washed. Eaves are courses, there are several turrets, a possible secret passageway, and a monk's room.

There are a number of small-pane windows, as well as a grey slate roof with tiled ridge. A doorway to the principal floor is reached by stone steps, and a small-pane glazed timber door is located to the right of the basement. Immediately to the north of the castle, there is a harled wall with an enclosed courtyard.