Midmar Castle

Midmar Castle stands in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on ground once held by the Earl of Huntly. Built between 1565 and 1575 for George Gordon of Midmar, the six-storey tower was designed by stonemason George Bell. The castle replaced an earlier tower demolished in 1562 during Mary, Queen of Scots’ campaign against the Earl. In 1594 it was attacked again after the Battle of Glenlivet. The castle is now a category A listed building. The castle’s interiors mostly date from the 1730 remodelling carried out for Alexander Grant, who bought the estate in 1728 and renamed it Grantsfield. Repairs in 1840 kept the 18th-century rooms intact. From 1842 to 1977 the castle stood empty yet maintained, preserving its historic interiors. Restoration began in 1977 and it has since served as a private home. A walled garden from the 16th or 17th century and an 18th-century sundial nearby are also category A listed. Visitors find a tall stone tower rising above Aberdeenshire’s rolling countryside. Inside, the 18th-century interiors include panelled rooms and staircases preserved from Grant’s remodelling. The walled garden still shows bee boles in its walls, small alcoves once used for beehives. A sundial stands at the garden’s centre, marking time since the 1700s. The setting remains quiet, with distant views over open fields and hills.