Corgarff Castle is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland. We passed it on the way down from Dufftown to Ballater last year on the (in)famous Tomintoul – Cock Bridge road, the A 939. Unfortunately it was on one of the days of the week when the castle isn’t open.

It’s ummissable from the road standing on the hillside as it does, but there’s a steep path up from the car park.

Castle from approach path:-

The unusually shaped perimeter wall was built when the castle was a barracks.

Close view:-

From northwest:-

From southeast:-

From northeast:-

The War Memorial in Dufftown, Moray, is dedicated to the men of Mortlach. A column surmounted by two figures of victory plus a cross, it is situated off Balvennie Street (the A 941 ) in a memorial garden.

Memorial garden gates with plaques commemorating 1914 -1919 and 1939 – 1945:-

Great War Dedication and some names but other names are obscured by the wreaths:-

Great War names W D Alexander – W C Carden.

Great War names:-J Sandison – R Yeats plus C Stuart and F Kerrin:-

Second World War dedication and names:-

While we were having lunch in a nice cafe over the road I spotted this plaque on Dufftown’s Clock Tower, commemorating George Stephen. first President of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company.

Those of you who know me very well will understand why his name grabbed my attention.

On the way down from Craigellachie we stopped off at Dufftown, mainly to have a look at Balvennie Castle, once the seat of the Earls of Buchan. We couldn’t go into the interior  since the castle was closed on the day.

Balvennie Castle information board:-

Balvennie Castle:-

Entrance:-

Gate:-

Interior through gate:-

From northwest:-