Auchindoun Castle
On the 9th November 2009 I was driving around Aberdeenshire, we had been living here a couple of months and were still getting our bearings. By the roadside I saw a sign for this castle and stopped, there was very little parking space, but room for a couple of cars.
After parking I followed a rough wet farm track for about 1/2 a mile or so before rounding a corner and seeing this.
Whilst it's true that there is little left of this place, it is still somehow impressive, the crisp clear winters day perhaps adding to that. A small heather fire on the horizon ruined a perfect sky day by adding plumes of smoke.
Even standing high on a series of protective mounds it is incredible to think that this place has remained for 6 centuries
Standing in the trenches in front of the castle lets me see how they were an excellent addition to the defences, the castle really does loom over you from here even though it is quite a small structure.
The second tier of ground defences mean a tough slog up, down and then up again whilst all the time coming under fire from the castle
To the rear, the castle is a little more exposed (in this century)
Down the glen behind the castle the winter colour is spectacular, with all that remains of ancient birch woodland clinging closely to its water source.
In 1592 the castle was sacked by Clan MacKintosh inspiring a traditional song......
As A cam in by Fiddichside, on a May mornin
A spied Willie MacIntosh an oor before the dawnin
Tarn again, tarn again, tarn again, A'se bid ye
If ye barn Auchindoun, Huntly he will heid ye
Heid me or hang me, that shall never fear me
A'll burn Auchindoun tho' the life leave me
As A cam in bi Fiddichside on a may mornin
Auchindoun was in a bleeze, an hour before the dawning
Crawing, crawing, for a' your crouse crawin'
Ye burnt yer crop an tint your wings an oor before the dawnin
So, that was Auchindoun Castle, perhaps not one to journey out to specifically, but if you find yourself in the area you should go, after all.....it is a castle