Braemar Castle (Scotland)
Aberdeenshire See list of castles in Scozia
A menacing exterior hides 12 authentic rooms that are charmingly decorated, as if the clan leader had just left. Dig deeper and discover a turbulent past that echoes Scotland's history for the past 400 years
The original owners of the castle, the Earls of Mar were among the earliest rulers of Scotland and their power continued over the centuries. In 1628 the 2nd Earl built Braemar Castle as a base for his hunting excursions to his lands in the Braes of Mar, but also to remind the local population who was in charge.
In 1689 this authority was challenged by the newly formed rebel group, the Jacobites, and the castle was set on fire in the first Jacobite revolt. With the second Jacobite revolt in 1715, the Count of Mar had changed his position and it was the 6th Earl who raised the banner to start the rebellion in Braemar. However, the rebellion lasted no more than a few months ending in defeat for the Jacobites and disaster for the count. He lost everything and fled overseas. Braemar Castle was seized by the Crown and local landowners, the Farquharsons of Invercauld, took the opportunity and bought the castle.
The last Jacobite revolt led to another change of fortune for the castle. After the final defeat of the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden in 1746, government troops were stationed in the castle to make sure there would be no more rebellion. When the troops finally left in 1830, the Farquharsons began converting the castle into the delightful family home you see today.
With visitors ranging from Queen Victoria to the current royal family, the castle's guest list reads like a who's who. Stories abound about colorful residents and visitors and when you hear authentic stories from local residents, you know you are truly experiencing authentic Scotland. For the past 10 years the castle has been run by the local community who are raising funds to restore the castle to the standard for our 21st century visitors.