It was amazing to find this lonely ruin in the woods. This would have been someone's happy home at one time. The cottage is well surrounded by trees and is well hidden in a sheltered spot . It was also lovely to see all the snowdrops all around.

It was worth the walk to find this castle. The castle is listed on the Ordnance Survey Map. If you follow the forestry track which is what we did it is a ten mile circular walk. There is a shorter walk via the first bridge but it would not be the same achievement as going right round by the second bridge. The castle is also known locally as Formartine Castle and the story goes that it was owned by the Gordons of Gight for some two centuries. It was sold on to cover gambling debts to the Earl of Aberdeen. The castle was at some time abandoned and has remained ruinous. As you can see what is left gives an idea of the size of the place. The castle is now in the care of Haddo House Estate it is not wise to try and enter, better to view from a distance. This is a close up view trying to give a sense of the detail.

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

It was worth the walk to find this castle. The castle is listed on the Ordnance Survey Map. If you follow the forestry track which is what we did it is a ten mile circular walk. There is a shorter walk via the first bridge but it would not be the same achievement as going right round by the second bridge. The castle is also known locally as Formartine Castle and the story goes that it was owned by the Gordons of Gight for some two centuries. It was sold on to cover gambling debts to the Earl of Aberdeen. The castle was at some time abandoned and has remained ruinous. As you can see what is left gives an idea of the size of the place. The castle is now in the care of Haddo House Estate it is not wise to try and enter, better to view from a distance. This is from the shelter of the trees.

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

It was so nice to see so many snowdrops they are so delicate and pretty. They are doing very well in this shaded woodland.

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Aberdeenshire

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Fedderate castle is in Aberdeenshire, not far from the village of New Deer. It stands now amidst good arable land, but in its heyday stood in swamp and could only be approached along a causeway. It was a substantial building in its time, built on the L-plan, with walls up to 8 feet thick. It probably contained 4 floors and an attic, rising to a height of 60 feet. Two high fragments remain of the castle, said to have been blown up either in 1689 after being captured by Williamite troops, or more recently. Fedderate originally belonged to the Crawfords, and later passed to the Irvines of Drum, but the existing building seems to have been built by the Gordons in the 1570s, and had affinities of plan form with Gight and Craig

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

We were crossing the River Ythan one last time. we had less than a mile to go. I thoroughly enjoyed the walk going the long way. As I said there is a shorter route but that would not have been the same.

Thanks for all your comments as usual.

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

It is always nice to see snowdrops it is a sure sign of spring. They are such delicate little flowers.

No #101 on Explore 27/02/2020

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

We took a diversion and followed a tractor path up this hill. It brought us into the sunshine and gave us a grand view all around. The path here was slightly muddy but very good.

This is the ancestral home of Lord Byron

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Inverlochy Castle

The castle is sited on the south bank of the River Lochy, at the strategically important entrance to the Great Glen, a key passage through the Scottish Highlands. With one side defended by the river, the castle's other three sides were originally protected by a water-filled ditch.

Torlundy, Fort William, Scotland.

- Wikipedia -

Inverlochy Castle is a ruined, 13th-century castle near Inverlochy and Fort William, Highland, Scotland. The site of two battles, the castle remains largely unchanged since its construction. It is now in the care of Historic Scotland.

Inverlochy Castle was built circa 1270–1280 by John "the Black" Comyn, Lord of Badenoch and Lochaber, and chief of the Clan Comyn. It may have been built on the site of an earlier Pictish fortification and settlement, which the historian Hector Boece (1465–1536) records as a "city" that was destroyed by Vikings. When Robert the Bruce succeeded to the Scottish throne in 1306, the Comyns, his rivals for the crown, were dispossessed, and the castle was unoccupied for a time. In 1431, clansmen of Alexander MacDonald, Lord of the Isles, defeated King James I's larger army in the first Battle of Inverlochy, fought close by the castle. It came under control of the Clan Cameron until 1501.

In 1505, the partially ruined castle was granted to Alexander Gordon, 3rd Earl of Huntly, who was charged by King James IV with repairing the castle for use as a Royal garrison. His brother William Gordon, Laird of Gight, became master of Inverlochy, and was slain commanding the Camerons at Flodden. In 1645, the castle served as a stopping-off point for the royalist army of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose during his campaign against the Covenanter forces of the Marquess of Argyll.oria in 1873.

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Gight Castle, which looms dramatically over the River Ythan a few miles upstream of Haddo, was for hundreds of years the residence of the Gordons of Gight, distant cousins of the Gordons of Haddo. This spectacular, famously eerie castle, which is now a ruin, is perhaps most renowned for being the childhood home of George Gordon, better known as the poet Lord Byron, whose mother, Catherine, was the last Gordon to reside there. Due to the gambling habits of Byron’s father, ‘Mad’ Jack Byron, Gight Castle was sold to the 3rd Earl of Aberdeen for his son, Lord Haddo. The latter’s premature death due to a riding accident led to the abandonment of the castle as a residence and its decline into ruins that are said to be haunted by a piper who disappeared while exploring an underground passageway.

Ref: Haddoestate.com

Gight, Aberdeenshire

Gight is an estate in the parish of Fyvie in the Formartine area of Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is best known as the location of the 16th-century Gight (or Formartine) Castle, ancestral home of Lord Byron. Gight Castle is about 4 miles (6.4 km) miles east of Fyvie, just north of the River Ythan, and 1 mile (1.6 km) mile south of Cottown. The castle was built to an L-shaped plan, probably in the 1570s by George Gordon, the second laird. Ranges of outbuildings were built later. The tower has a vaulted basement, and a turnpike stair at the end of a long passage. There was a hall on the first floor. George Gordon had no children, and the property passed to his brother, James Gordon of Cairnbannoch and Gight. His son Alexander married Agnes Beaton, daughter of David Beaton, Archbishop of St Andrews. Alexander was killed at Dundee in 1579, and his daughter Elizabeth married George Home, 1st Earl of Dunbar in 1590. It was later occupied by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron, but she sold it in 1787 to George Gordon, 3rd Earl of Aberdeen to pay off her debts. It was then occupied by the Earl's son, George Gordon, Lord Haddo, until the latter's early death in 1791, since when it has been uninhabited. It was designated a scheduled monument in 1965. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gight

The Gight Woods is a protected natural forest. Gight Wood, on the slopes of the River Ythan, is one of the last remnants of ancient woodland in Aberdeenshire. This broadleaved woodland of hazel, oak and rowan supports badgers, red squirrels, brown hares and foxes. Highlights include: Wildflowers, Woodland walk, Hazel woodland Best time to visit? Apr to Aug for wildflowers, May to Sep for hazelwoods, Anytime for walking. A path leads through the woodland and up a few steep climbs to a viewpoint. Bluebells can be seen in early summer. scottishwildlifetrust.org.uk/reserve/gight-wood/

Another view from the Heights of Gight. Once again the winding River Ythan moves silently in the countryside. Someone said the autumn colours have remained because we have had so little frost.

It was now time to get back down beside the river and carry on our walk.

This is the second set of entrance gates to the woods and eventually to Gight Castle.