A Son of the Rock

Huntly Castle in Aberdeenshire must have been really impressive in its day:-

The facade has embossed lettering announcing to the world who owned it. A statement of power and prestige:-

It reads, “George Gordoun First Marquis of Hvntlie 16” and on the line below, “Henriette Stevart Marquisse of Hvntlie 02.” It’s slightly easier to make out on the information board if you click on the picture to enlarge it:-

After paying the entrance fee you have to walk on the path past the frontage to get to the entrance:-

This is a reverse view from the grounds:-

And this a view from the side:-

The entrance tower is covered in carved armorial crests:-

The courtyard in front of it (behind it?) contains the ruins of some outbuildings:-

One of those was a brewery as I recall, with a stone built drainage channel:-

This mound of grass is all that remains of the original castle, a motte construction:-

That was the first of three castles on the site as this information board displays:-