Dunphail Castle

Dunphail Castle stands on a low hill south of Forres in Moray, Scotland. It is a ruined 14th-century tower house, built on Castle Hill near the River Divie. The Comyns once owned the castle before 1314. The Regent Moray besieged them there in 1330 after their flight from Darnaway Castle. Five captured garrison members were beheaded, and their heads thrown over the walls. The castle passed to the Dunbars, though Dunphail House was later built nearby for the Cummings. Only a vaulted basement remains today. Archaeologists found five skull-less bodies buried near the castle in the 18th century. The site holds traces of the violent past described in local records. Visitors find a quiet grassy mound where the tower once stood. The River Divie flows nearby, adding to the peaceful setting. The ruins are modest, with only the vaulted basement visible. The remains hint at the castle’s turbulent history. The surrounding countryside offers gentle walks and views of the valley.