Boyne Castle – Aberdeenshire, Scotland - Atlas Obscura

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Boyne Castle

The overgrown ruins of this once majestic castle sit forlornly in the Scottish countryside.  

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Boyne Castle is set above a bend of the Burn of Boyne below, which made the site naturally fortified and easily defended, sitting as it does above the steep gorge protecting it on three sides. On the south, there was a dry moat, which was once 18 meters wide.

Although now a dangerous crumbling ruin, it has been said that historically Boyne Castle was an impressive dwelling with fine rooms, built over vaulted basements and maintained large windows. 

The remains of Boyne Castle are now overgrown and incredibly ruinous, although the walls to the west and the towers still stand, the four corner towers are round in design. There is a twin-turreted gatehouse south of the castle and the entrance to Boyne Castle was by a causeway, which is still raised and walled. There are remains of two walled gardens, which are now incredibly overgrown and hard to identify.

In the 14th century, the land around Boyne Castle was owned by the 1st Earl of Moray, Thomas Randolph. It passed first to the Edmonstone family and then, by marriage, to the Ogilvy family. Boyne Castle continued to be a residence until sometime after 1723.

There is a belief that the construction of Boyne Castle was slightly earlier, and that it might have been constructed by Alexander Ogilvy of Boyne sometime before 1575 for his bride, a companion of Mary, Queen of Scots. 

Know Before You Go

The structure of Boyne Castle is dangerous, the vaults are collapsing and very little holds up the towers or the walls of the great hall. Crumbling holes that were once windows provide steep drops downward.


Enjoy from outside only, stay safe.

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September 15, 2022

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