Huntly

Huntly is a Town in the Aberdeenshire area of Scotland, 39 miles northwest of Aberdeen, on the road to the Moray Coast and Inverness 65 miles west, also into Speyside for the Malt Whisky Distilleries.

Huntly is popular for Huntly Castle visits, vast Castle Park with a Kids Play, Outdoor Centre in the Park, Huntly Falconry Centre 4 miles west open April to October, Salmon Fishing, and a number of Walks in the Area.

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Camping & Touring Parks in area

The image top is of from Gordon Street leading to The Square with the Clock Tower on the left. The Clock Tower is part of Stewart's Hall, built from 1875.

The second image is of The Square in the centre of Huntly. The Fountain was erected in 1882 by the Widow of James Robertson.

The Gordon Arms Hotel is in the southwest corner of The Square, built in 1795.

The north end of the Square has a Statue of Charles Gordon Lennox, fifth Duke of Richmond, erected in 1862.

Castle Street leads north from The Square to the War Memorial, at the entrance to Huntly Castle Park.

Just past the War Memorial is the Simpson Building, part of Gordon Schools, funded by Elizabeth Brodie, Duchess of Gordon, to honor her husband George Gordon. This Building was completed in 1839 to designs of Archibald Simpson.

Through the Tower Arch by Walking or Car, takes you into Huntly Castle Park, where there are vast Playing Fields and Huntly Golf Club, founded in 1892.

Huntly Castle is about a half mile walk from the entrance, built from the early 1400s for Clan Gordon. King Robert the Bruce awarded these lands to the Gordon's for their support during the First War of Scottish Independence. The Castle fell into Ruin in the late 1700s, after being used by Government Troops during the Jacobite Risings. The Castle is now preserved to serve as a Tourist Attraction.

By the Castle is a Kids Play and Shallow River, a popular area in warm weather.

Also in the Park is the Huntly Nordic and Outdoor Centre, for a wide range of Outdoor Sports.

Huntly Castle Caravan Park is on the west side of the Park, with Pitches for Tourers and Tents.

St Margaret's Church is a short walk west of the War Memorial, built in 1834.

Huntly History

1100s - the area of present day Huntly was known as Strathbogie, with the first Castle built for Duncan, Earl of Fife.

1300s - David of Strathbogie fought on the side of the English during the First War of Scottish Independence, leading to King Robert the Bruce awarding the Lands and Castle to his loyal supporters, the Gordon's of Huntly in Berwickshire, southwest Scotland.

This led to Sir Adam Gordon moving north, changing the name of Strathbogie Castle to Huntly Castle.

1410 - Lord Gordon had the Wooden Castle replaced by a Stone Castle. The Gordon's had much of Huntly built over the following centuries.

1449 - Alexander Gordon became the 1st Earl of Huntly.

1470s - George Gordon, 2nd Earl of Huntly, had Gordon Castle built 20 miles northwest of Huntly, becoming one of the largest Country Houses in Scotland.

1746 - the Battle of Culloden by Inverness ended the Jacobite Risings. The Government then began building new Roads, Bridges and Forts throughout the Highlands to allow Troops and Cannon to be moved around Scotland to prevent more Uprisings.

Huntly Castle was occupied by Government Troops during the 1745 Rising, with members of Clan Gordon fighting on both side of this Conflict. The ones that fought for the Government, retained their Land and Titles.

Huntly Castle had began falling into ruin by this time, with much of its stone being taken for Buildings in the Town.

1780s - Mail Coaches began traveling between Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Mail north to Huntly and other northern Towns was then taken by Riders on Horses.

1794 - the Gordon Highlanders Regiment was formed by General George Gordon, 5th Duke of Gordon, a time Great Britain was getting involved in the French Revolution.

1811 - Mail Coaches began running from Aberdeen to Huntly and Banff on new Roads and Bridges. These Mail Coaches also provided a Passenger Service.

1854 - the Aberdeen to Inverness Railway was completed with a Station at Huntly, leading to the expansion of the Town through Trade. Huntly grew around Farming, Textiles, and Whisky, with a number of Whisky Distilleries from 10 to 20 miles away for visits.

1923 - Huntly Castle was transferred from the Gordon's to Historic Environment Scotland to be preserved as a Tourist Attraction.

2001 - Duncan Taylor Beverages moved their headquarters to Huntly with a Bottling Plant. They buy Barrels of Whisky from around the Speyside area to produce Blends and Single Malts such as: Black Bull, Scottish Glory, Auld Reekie, The Big Smoke, Battlehill, The Duncan Taylor Tantalus, and The Rarest.