Findochty Castle

Findochty Castle stands in Moray, Scotland, on a rock at the end of a drained loch. It is a ruined 16th-century L-plan tower house about 2.5 miles north-east of Buckie and 0.25 miles from the sea. The castle was built by the Gordons, then passed to the Ogilvies, and in 1568 to the Ord family. The Ord family developed Findochty village as a fishing port. By 1794 the castle was already a ruin, though some repairs were made to its remains in the 1880s. The castle’s structure shows an oblong block with a small tower attached to the north front. Part of the north wall and west wing survive, along with the tower and kitchen wing rising to about 26.2 feet. The main building has been destroyed except for these fragments. The vaulted basement and first-floor hall once stood within the surviving walls. Built of harl-pointed rubble with tooled dressings, the castle has a narrow south door with a relieving arch. It is recognised as a scheduled monument. Visitors find a quiet ruin set close to the Moray coast. The remains of the tower and west wing rise above the drained loch bed, offering clear views of the surrounding landscape. The surviving masonry shows the castle’s original form despite centuries of decay. The narrow door and relieving arch hint at the defensive design of the 16th century. The site is peaceful, with the nearby sea and village adding to its historical atmosphere.