| The
stronghold of Braemar Castle is a distinctive landmark, with
its turrets and star-shaped defensive wall, close to the main
road from the east. It played its part in the story of the province
of Mar from the 17th century onwards.
Family feuds, local skirmishes and bloodshed were some of
the characteristics of the history of Mar up to the 1745 rebellion.
The feudal authority of the Earls of Mar were repeatedly challenged
by other powerful families such as Gordon, Forbes and Farquharson.
By way of stamping his authority in the area, John Erskine,
Earl of Mar (1558-1634) started building Braemar Castle in
1628. As well as a fortified place, the castle also served
as a hunting tower.
In 1689, the unsuccessful attempt by John Grahame of Claverhouse
(Bonnie Dundee) to re-establish the Stuart monarchy against
that of the Dutch King William resulted in the occupation
of the castle by government troops. They narrowly missed capturing
the Farquharson leader, John Farquharson of Inverey (the Black
Colonel). He then attacked the castle, drove the garrison
out and burned the building. The castle lay in ruins for almost
sixty years.
During this period a great deal happened. John Erskine (1675-1732),
the Earl of Mar, was stripped of his office as Secretary of
State on the accession of Hanoverian King George I. The Earl
joined the Hanoverian opposition, the Jacobites, and organised
the 1715 rebellion, as described in this guide. This proved
disastrous for the Earl's fortune, with his estates forfeited
to the Crown after the Jacobites' attempt failed after the
Battle of Sheriffmuir.
During the last uprising in 1745, John Farquharson, 9th Laird
of Invercauld, (who had purchased the estate in 1724) avoided
joining the Jacobite cause under the leadership of Bonnie
Prince Charlie. Consequently, Farquharson's Deeside lands
were plundered by the Jacobite army.
In 1748, with the Jacobite cause in ruins, he leased Braemar
Castle to the government. To make it serviceable as a government
garrison post, rebuilding was put in hand and the castle gained
its star-shaped defensive walls at this time. (Part of the
pacification of the Highlands also included the building of
a military road from the south, whose most spectacular feature
is the old Invercauld Bridge). However, with more peaceable
times, the lease did not run its full course and the military
garrison was withdrawn in 1797. The 12th Laird of Invercauld
subsequently restored the castle to provide a family home,
which it has remained ever since.
|
The Highland Gathering at Braemar Castle
before becoming established in their present location. |
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