Boyne Castle (also known as the Palace of Boyne) is a 16th-century

quadrangular castle A quadrangular castle or courtyard castle is a type of castle characterised by ranges of buildings which are integral with the curtain walls, enclosing a central ward or quadrangle, and typically with angle towers. There is no keep and frequent ...

about east of

Portsoy Portsoy () is a small town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Historically, Portsoy was in Banffshire until 1975. The original name may come from ''Port Saoithe'', meaning "saithe harbour". Portsoy is located on the Moray Firth coast of northeast Scotl ...

Aberdeenshire Aberdeenshire (; ) is one of the 32 Subdivisions of Scotland#council areas of Scotland, council areas of Scotland. It takes its name from the Shires of Scotland, historic county of Aberdeenshire (historic), Aberdeenshire, which had substantial ...

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

, south of Boyne Bay.Coventry, Martin (2001). ''The Castles of Scotland''. Musselburgh: Goblinshead. p. 87

History

Around 1320, the land was owned by

Thomas Randolph, 1st Earl of Moray Thomas Randolph, Earl of Moray (c. 1285 20 July 1332) was a soldier and diplomat in the Wars of Scottish Independence, who later served as regent of Scotland. He was a nephew of Robert the Bruce, who created him as the first earl of M ...

, but passed first to the Edmonstone family and then, by marriage, to the Ogilvies. When

Mary, Queen of Scots Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), also known as Mary Stuart or Mary I of Scotland, was List of Scottish monarchs, Queen of Scotland from 14 December 1542 until her forced abdication in 1567. The only surviving legit ...

came to the area, James Ogilvie of Cardell recorded in the household book that she stayed at the "Craig of Boyne" on 19 September 1562. This may have been a different site nearer the sea, occupied before the present castle was built. Some objects were recovered from a kitchen midden at the Craig of Boyne in 1869, including bone sewing needles, brass pins, and a lead tag that served as a quality mark on imported cloth. Sir George Ogilvy of Dunlugas (a son of Walter Ogilvie of Dunlugas) is sometimes said to have built the castle in the late 16th century, although it is unclear if he was the owner.

Charles McKean Charles McKean FRSE FRSA FRHistS FRIBA (16 July 1946 – 29 September 2013) was a Scottish historian, author and scholar. Biography McKean was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on 16 July 1946. He was educated at Fettes College, the University of P ...

suggested that the building was slightly earlier, constructed by Alexander Ogilvy of Boyne before 1575 for his bride, Mary Beaton, a companion of

, brought up at the French royal court.

James VI of Scotland James VI and I (James Charles Stuart; 19 June 1566 – 27 March 1625) was King of Scotland as James VI from 24 July 1567 and King of England and Ireland as James I from the union of the Scottish and English crowns on 24 March 1603 until ...

stayed at the castle in July 1589. His ambassadors Andrew Keith, Lord Dingwall, George Young, and John Skene brought him news from Denmark of the progress of his marriage negotiations and preparations of ships, jewels, and a silver coach for

Anne of Denmark Anne of Denmark (; 12 December 1574 – 2 March 1619) was the wife of King James VI and I. She was List of Scottish royal consorts, Queen of Scotland from their marriage on 20 August 1589 and List of English royal consorts, Queen of Engl ...

. Occupation continued until after 1723.

Structure

The site of Boyne castle is naturally fortified, above the steep gorge of the Burn of Boyne, or Boyne Water, which protects it on three sides, while on the south there is a dry moat, nearly wide. It has been said that Boyne Castle "was once a splendid place with fine rooms, above vaulted basements, and had large windows". The remains are overgrown and ruinous, although the walls to the west, and the towers, still stand to about . The four corner towers are round, and about in diameter. There is a twin-turreted gatehouse to the south. Entrance is by a causeway, which is raised and walled. There are remains of two walled gardens. The castle ruin is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

References

{{Reflist Castles in Aberdeenshire Scheduled monuments in Aberdeenshire Buildings and structures in Portsoy