History: Elgin to Fraserburgh

Castle Hill Cullen. A great walk through the estate grounds of Cullen House to the Castle Motte, a prominent mound with superb views over the Moray Firth. Likely to date from the mid to late 1100’s, Cullen Castle was a Royal Residence. It is believed to here that Robert the Bruce’s wife died in 1327. It was also here that the Duke of Cumberland’s forces gathered before the Battle of Culloden in 1746. Next it is a short walk to Cullen Old Kirk. The Kirk’s existence is first recorded in 1236. Internally there are many historic features, notably the tomb of Alexander Ogilvie of Findlater and Deskford, who died in 1554 and an imposing Laird’s Loft erected around 1602.

Then it’s on to the historic harbour and town of Portsoy. But first a visit to a most spectacular cliff side castle on a promontory site overlooking the sea. Findlater Castle. It is reputed that Vikings stormed the castle site and held it sometime around the 1260’s. The remains of the tower built out from the cliff that can be seen today dates from around 1450. The castle was the seat of the Ogilvys, Earl’s of Findlater and Seafield.

The old harbour dates from the late 1600’s and is the oldest on the Moray Firth. The newer harbour to the East was built in 1825 to accommodate the growing herring fleet. Portsoy is renowned for its marble, actually polished red and green serpentine used most notably in the Palace of Versailles. There is a shop in the old warehouses next to the harbour which still sells the marble.