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Scotland’s history is written in stone and thistle. Perhaps one of the best examples of the medieval castles of Scotland is Huntly castle. There have been a total four separate castles, in three locations under two family names from 1180 to the 1660′s. The changing tides of Scotland’s monarchies and those of England have been crested by the wooden walls of the first castle to the much more elaborate manor house of the last residents. The castle first bore the name of Strathbogie, a supporter of Robert the Bruce, a back and forth loyalty contest resulted in the castle being presented by the victorious Bruce to the Huntly family. Scotland’s political battles with the English kings often saw shifting loyalties and executions of those seen as traitors. Lands and castles were passed onto loyal followers and the properties and lands saw new owners.

Each owner often changed the design of the castle to fit lifestyle and need for defense. Wood was replaced with stone. Walls and towers were added to defend against catapult, battering rams and foot soldiers and finally against cannon and musket shot. The exteriors saw more artistic features to impress visitors and especially royal patrons. Even in ruins, castles such as Huntly give a glimpse of what armies saw when they approached to attack, what visitors saw when they came to petition or ask for grace, and what the new owner saw when the old owner was dead by execution.

Huntly Castle contains a textbook of old foundations, towers, moats and a mix of stonework that has a timeline of occupation and growth. From the 12th century through the late 1660′s the castles that occupied this place were active participants in Scotland’s wars and political strife. The castles were home to noble families who entertained nobler guests and intimidated peasant and vassal alike. These less than equal persons looked up at the stone towers and imagined a life they could only see from a distance. We can see some of what they experienced at magnificent Huntly Castle.