| Description | The area has been home to the Gordons since about 1480, with this castle being built sometime between 1517 and 1530 (historical accounts vary), by the second Laird, George. It was built as a traditional L shaped tower house, on the north bank of the river Ythan.
The castle passed down the generations (with much fighting, murder and mayem going on through the years) until it ended up in 1785 with the Lady Catherine Gordon, who married one Mad Jack Byron, who had a bit of a gambling problem as well as being the father of Lord Byron the poet. Sadly, Byron Senior blew all his cash on the gee-gee's or whatever, and so the castle had to be sold to pay off his debts.
The castle was purchased by the 3rd Earl of Aberdeen, who handed it over to his lad, Lord Haddo (it's still part of the Haddo estate). Unfortunately, the poor chap didn't get much chance to enjoy his new pad, as he fell off his horse nearby and was killed. For whatever reason his wife, Charlotte Baird, abandoned the castle, sin |
