The castle was built around 1770
Just under a mile from our Fochabers office is Gordon Castle, the spiritual home of the house of Gordon, one of the oldest families in Scotland. The castle was built around 1770 and the River Spey, famous for its salmon fishing and whisky, runs through its beautiful grounds.
The castle was a hospital during the First World War for soldiers returning from the front and was then sold back to the Crown in 1938 following two successive deaths leaving the family with unmanageable death duties to pay. It fell into serious disrepair but after World War II was rescued by Lieutenant General Sir George Gordon Lennox (grandson of the 7th Duke of Richmond and Gordon) after World War Two who began renovations which have continued with the present owners, Angus Gordon Lennox (Grandson of Sir George) and his wife Zara.
Today, the estate offers accommodation in the Castle, self-catering holiday cottages, salmon fishing and hosts events such as weddings and corporate events in their spectacular setting.
In 2015 the Estate opened the Walled Garden café where guests can enjoy coffee, a homemade lunch, afternoon tea, or on some evenings (check with the café) dinner, whilst looking out over the garden from the restaurant’s huge windows. As I can personally testify, the café is a great building in a truly beautiful tranquil setting and as an added bonus, is licensed so if you are planning a special occasion there, do give Ace Taxis a call to take you there and back to make the most of the day.
The Walled garden itself is 8 acres in size and one of the oldest and largest walled gardens in Britain and a wonderful place to visit. In a less serene corner it also has a children’s play area.
Some great events are planned for the walled garden in the next few weeks and months including a Mary Poppins Themed Afternoon Tea on 19th May and outdoor theatre notably on Sunday 21st July for Quantum Theatre’s adaptation of the Wind in the Willows and Friday 9th August for Illyria’s performance of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves. These are great events, the actors are amazing as they usually play a number of parts, and being in the great outdoors adds completely to the experience but yes don’t let the weather put you off – just make sure you are prepared for all 4 seasons and bring midgie spray! Check out the walled garden facebook page for more information.
However this month (May) sees one of the highlights of the Gordon Castle event calendar with the Highland Games and Country Fair on Sunday 19th from 1000 hrs to 1700 hrs. This event brings all the traditional sights and sounds of the Highlands with pipebands all resplendent in their colourful tartans as well as lots of fun events and country sports for you to watch such as Mordor gundogs; one country terriers and a falconry display. Highland games were a traditional show of clan strength and you can see people compete (or even compete yourself) in races, caber tossing; tug o’ war, archery and the 28lb weight distance champion.
There are special races for children and lots of events for children to enjoy such as bouncy castles, a wrecking ball and possibly more for adults but a couple I think I will personally skip, the Beast Assault Course and Zorbing.
One of the highlights this year is the Riders of the Storm, https://www.ridersofthestorm.co.uk/ equestrian display team who perform amazing stunts on horseback displaying skill and balance, if you’ve not seen these before they are definitely worth watching.
If all this spectating gives you an appetite, there are two marquees with food and this being the home of Gordon Castle Gin, a bar in the Castle’s orangery.
New for 2019, on the Friday night 17th, the marquee in the grounds will host folk band Rura supported by Calum Jones and the Trad Project there is a bbq and if you would like to enjoy the cocktail bar do remember to book your Ace taxi in advance. Tickets are available for adults aged 18+ only.
And one more point to note – dogs are welcome at the games and indeed Zara and Angus Gordon Lennox are keen for Gordon setter owners to come along to help them raise awareness of the declining numbers of this breed which was first established as a black, tan and white dog, at Gordon Castle in the 18th century by Alexander Gordon, the 4th Duke of Gordon, as a traditional hunting dog.
For a full list of the all that’s on for the games, and for information on the walled garden and café please visit www.gordoncastle.co.uk/highland-games but do note that the castle itself is not open to the public.
Ace Taxis can include a visit for lunch at the walled garden in one of our many Moray itineraries or include a visit to the Highland games on 19th May just give us a call.
