English - "hunting lea" or "meadow" - name was originally of a hamlet in Berwickshire, though no longer extant. There is a Huntly Hill near Ettrickbridge in the Borders, but this would have been in Selkirkshire.
Click the map's Google logo to go to Google Maps - for Directions, Street View etc. Undiscovered Scotland Wikipedia Huntly.net
Huntly was originally called Miltown of Strathbogie or Strathbogie, it is located on an old road linking fords on the Bogie and Deveron - the Bogie being the river running to the east of Huntly, close to the Station. The Deveron flows to the north of the town. The Roy Highlands map from c1750 shows the village of Strathbogie around what is now the Square - and either side of the Water of Deveron, Huntly Castle and Huntly Lodge (now Huntly Castle Hotel). Huntly itself is on a hill between these rivers and as well as having a ruined castle (down by the Deveron), it has a large square as it's focal point. Between the square and the castle is the imposing arch of the Simpson Building. Huntly got its railway in 1854, when the Great North of Scotland Railway opened a line from Aberdeen, it was extended to Keith in 1856. In 1858 the line from Inverness via Elgin joined up with it at Keith. Huntly was/is also a major road hub - on the main road between Aberdeen and Inverness (now the A96); it met the road from Deeside (A97) at the Square. Roads to Dufftown (A920), Portsoy (B9022) and Banff (continuance of A97). The latter two roads to the North are not shown on the Roy Highlands map - but then it doesn't show all roads. The bypass was built in 1980. The A97 turns right abruptly just after the Square - the continuation being the now minor road down to the Castle, the Castle Bridge and the Castle Hotel. Huntly & WhiskyHuntly is home to two whisky shops! Whiskies of Scotland is the retail face of Duncan Taylor - the online presence is Single Malts Direct. I'm not sure whether they are really all part of the same company, or just have close ownership links - actually, I don't care - they bottle good whisky. One of the Duncan Taylor ranges, Battlehill is named after the hill just to the east of Huntly Station.
The local Costcutter, Essons of Huntly, also has a good range of whiskies, and in most locations would be regarded as THE whisky specialists. Worth looking in on them, as they often have some good bargains. Distilleries None at present but Duncan Taylor have had plans for one since 2008 - it was put on the back burner due to the recession, but the original plans were ambitious - the distillery would produce malt ad grain whisky, gin and "single malt vodka" on a site between Huntly Station and the A96. Glendronach distillery at Forgue and Knockdhu (anCnoc) distillery are both about 9 miles from Huntly, as is Ardmore at Kennethmont, but it's not open to the public. Historical Distillery Sites (links below are all to maps, and the details are based on Misako Udo's "The Scottish Whisky Distilleries") Huntly Distillery at Pirriesmill on the Bogie north of the town operated from 1824 to 1867. There was also a distillery called Burnend near Pirriesmill 1824-29, Both Pirriesmill and a nearby Distilery (disused) are still on the OS Map today...But, just south of Huntly is a Burnend - close to Greenhaugh (see below). Misako Udo states there were 14 distilleries licensed in the Huntly District in 1798-99 - producing a total of 2,500 litres, including Greenhaugh, Another distillery was located at Kirkton, Drumblade about 4 miles east of Huntly around 1830. Drumblade was also the name of the parish to the east of Huntly between Huntly and Forgue, where Glendronach is. |
The first of four castles was built by Duncan, Earl of Fife in around 1180, on the mound to the west of the current ruins. In 1306 the Earl (John of Strathbogie) was supporting Robert the Bruce, and was executed by Edward I of England, but his son shifted his support to the English - just before Bruce's victory at Bannockburn, who gifted the Lordship of Strathbogie to his loyal supporter Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly in Berwickshire.
The family changed the name of their Castle to Huntly in 1506, and by 1550 the very wealthy 4th Earl, who was Lord Chancellor, rebuilt the castle. However, in 1562 he fell out badly with Mary Queen of Scots, which lead to his defeat at the Battle of Corrichie - he was killed, the Caslte looted and his younger son executed. The castle was again destroyed in 1594 following the Battle of Glenlivet (while the detailed description of the battle says it was on the slopes of Ben RInnes, the map puts it clearly further east on Tom Cullach). The 6th Earl of Huntly's Catholic forces routed the Earl of Argyll's Protestant army. So King James VI had Huntly's castle blown up. The gridded layout of the town is the result of development by the 4th Duke, Alexander, in 1769, from which time Huntly became the accepted name of the town. Battle Hill refers to the Battle of Sleoch Gordon Highlanders regiment. Gordon Schools In the "great floods of 1829", Huntly briefly became an island, though its bridges to the outside world remained - bridges upriver were swept away. Huntly Lodge, as shown on early maps, was originally a "shooting box of the Duke of Gordon", but on the abandonment of the Castle as a residence in the early 19th century, it was enlarged, though the family's seat became Gordon Castle near Fochabers. Between the town and the Castle the Gordon Schools were established and in particular the spectacular arch of the Simpson Building - a memorial to the fifth Duke of Gordon who died in 1836 Huntly is also famous for its biscuits (no, nothing to do with Huntley & Palmers), but Dean's, who've made Shortbread in Huntly since 1975, and have a visitor centre. Arriving & DepartingOpen Cycle Map Bing Map
Huntly's (HNT) rail station has level access to both platforms (Platform 1 is most obvious when coming from Huntly, for Platform 2 continue under the bridge and turn right), and fairly frequent trains to Aberdeen & Inverness. Live train times SleepingDunedin GH 17/19 Bogie Street 01466 794162
Have stayed there twice - friendly, good breakfast, shed/garage to lock up bike for the night, roof terrace with superb view over Huntly and the surrounding countryside. Glenburn GH 19 Castle Street 01466 792798 Greenmount GH 43 Gordon Street 01466 792482 Hillview B&B Provost Street 01466 794870 The Castle Hotel off the Portsoy Road (B9022) 01466 792696 Gordon Arms The Square 01466 794556 huntly.net lists some more remote Hotels and B&Bs EatingThe Castle Hotel off the Portsoy Road (B9022) 01466 792696
Gordon Arms The Square 01466 794556 Good food at a good price with good service. The Bank Café and Restaurant 2 The Square 07955 710755 Dean's Café Bistro Steven Road 01466 794105 See also huntly.net DrinkingThe Castle Hotel off the Portsoy Road (B9022) 01466 792696 MW
Distillery Bar, a good range of Malt Whisky and other spirits Stands in its own considerable grounds. Direct access from Huntly - continue on from Gordon Street under the imposing arch of the Simpson Building, past the ruined Castle and across what was once a road bridge over the River Deveron, but due to flood damage is now only usable by pedestrians and cyclists. Oh and the hotel has a helipad should you need one! Looks very posh, but the prices aren't too bad. Gordon Arms The Square 01466 794556 MW RA The Crown Bar Gordon Street 01466 792244 CyclingBike hire available from the Nordic and Outdoor Centre 01466 794428
Bike shops Inveruirie (23 miles) or Elgin (27 miles) Pedal Power 29a High Street, Inverurie 01467 624323 Halfords Oldmeldrum Road, Inverurie 01467 627790 Bikes and Bowls 7 High Street, Elgin 01343 549656 Halfords Lossie Wynd N, Elgin 01343 552030 Charlie Millett Dufftown 01340 820991 Not a shop - has a page on the Dufftown.net website - provides repairs and spares - assisted Whisky Cyclist in 2014 when stranded in Craigellachie with a damaged tyre and a broken pedal in 2017. ShoppingTesco Asda Essons of Huntly
Banking - RBS, BOS, Clydesdale and Lloyds TSB all have Branches on or near to the Square on Gordon Street - all have ATMs Raining?? |
The Dukedoms of Gordon
The Dukes of Gordon
The Dukes of Gordon were particularly good at the title game.The first dukedom was created in 1684 (Charles II was a good mate) along with Viscount of Inverness, Lord Gordon of Strathaven and Glenlivet, Balmore, Auchindoon, Garthie, Badenoch and Kincardine - to add to the titles he already held: Marquis of Huntly, Earl of Huntly and Enzie. 100 years later the Earldom of Norwich was added along with becoming Baron Gordon of Huntley (Gloucestershire). The Dukes of Gordon seem to have been particularly adept at an avaricious acquisition of titles. The Earldom of Huntly had been created in 1445, in 1549 the 4th Earl was given an additional title, Earl of Moray. This title had been (re-)created for one of James IV's bastards in 1501, but died with him; now it was re-created again for the 4th Earl, who was Lord Chancellor of Scotland, but in 1560 it was taken off him by Mary Queen of Scots, who needed the title and Darnaway Castle near Forres that went with it, for her half-brother, one of James V's bastards. Despite his Earldom of Huntly, and being Lord Chancellor, he seems to have gone off in a huff to his Estates in the NE, and when Mary was in Inverness, she was refused entry to the Castle on the Earl's orders. He was subsequently outlawed and defeated at the Battle of Corrichie in 1562 and died reportedly of apoplexy shortly after being captured, and one of his sons was executed. His goods were seized from Huntly Castle, and his body taken to Edinburgh to stand trial! His titles and land were forfeited in 1563. Another son, George Gordon was sentenced to death for treason, but was just imprisoned. |
Arms of the Duke of Richmond, Lennox and Gordon
By NoahHK [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons
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But Mary was forced to abdicate in favour of her one year old son James in 1567, Huntly was loyal to Mary
These titles all died with the 5th Duke in 1836.
The Dukes of Richmond, Gordon and Lennox
Most of the estates passed to the son of the Duke's eldest sister - the 5th Duke of Richmond, who was also Duke of Lennox - in 1876 his son was created Duke of Gordon and Earl of Kinara. The Dukedom of Richmond (plus Earldoms of March and Darnley, plus Barron Settrington and Lord Torbolton) had been created for one of Charles II's royal bastards - a month later the Dukedom of Lennox was added - his son succeeded to the French title Duke of Aubigny in 1734.
The new Dukes seem even more greedy than their predecessors!
These titles all died with the 5th Duke in 1836.
The Dukes of Richmond, Gordon and Lennox
Most of the estates passed to the son of the Duke's eldest sister - the 5th Duke of Richmond, who was also Duke of Lennox - in 1876 his son was created Duke of Gordon and Earl of Kinara. The Dukedom of Richmond (plus Earldoms of March and Darnley, plus Barron Settrington and Lord Torbolton) had been created for one of Charles II's royal bastards - a month later the Dukedom of Lennox was added - his son succeeded to the French title Duke of Aubigny in 1734.
The new Dukes seem even more greedy than their predecessors!
Photos on this page were taken by me. Click on photo to enlarge. Full size versions and my other pictures of Huntly are available at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157633389907120
http://www.flickr.com/photos/martynjenkins/sets/72157633389907120