Gight Castle is an ivy covered 16th century tower house that can be found in a beautifully remote location above the River Ythan.

The castle was bult by a branch of the powerful Gordon family, many of whom suffered violent deaths, including two in battle, three grandsons and a son-in-law murdered, another grandson executed, one drowned and a further two whilst fighting in Holland and Flanders respectively. It is said the Lairds once dabbled in witchcraft and a piper having been sent to the castle to explore the underground passages never returned. A fabulous ruin to emplore but one I would not want to at night!

However, during the day time the castle is a glorious ruin to explore following a very scenic countryside walk from the small car park at Gight Woods.

~ Legend ~

The 7th Laird gets himself in trouble and there is little he can do to stop the small army marching towards teh castle.

Any gold or jewels that he couldn’t carry off are safely hidden at the bottom of a deep pool in the river. Once the coast is clear, he sends his servant down to collect his treasure again. The servant bursts back to the surface in a panic, screaming that the Devil is down there guarding the horde.

The fury of the Laird is just as frightening as the Devil, and so the man is forced back down into the depths. After a short wait, the unfortunate diver floats back to the surface in four separate pieces. The gold remains where it is hidden, and the ghost of the servant still wanders between the castle and the river.

T secret passage is said to run directly below the castle but with the Devil waiting at the other end. This story didn’t scare one brave man who brought his bagpipes with him to explore where the tunnel really went. He told his friends that he would play a marching tune to show the coast is clear and then they could follow the sound. He jokes that if he did happen to see the Devil then he would play a lament instead.

The group listen to the marching tune of the pipes as their friend disappears into the depths. Before long, the tune quickly changes. They all look horrified as the explorer starts to play a lament until it ends abruptly.

On a quiet day, you might just hear the sorrowful sound of bagpipes coming from deep below your feet at Gight Castle.

~ History~

1479 ~ The Gight estate of the Maitland family passes to William Gordon, 3rd son of the 2nd Earl of Huntly.

1513 ~ William is killed at the Battle of Flodden. 

1547 ~ William's brother is killed at the Battle of Pinkie.

1787 ~ Following Catherine Gordon's marriage to Captain John Byron, known as 'mad Jack',  she is forced to sell the castle to pay off his gambling debts.

1791 ~ The abandoned castle falls in disrepair following the death of its last owner Lord Haddo.