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Abergeldie Castle, Royal Deeside - Guide And Information
Situated in the picturesque Royal Deeside, Abergeldie Castle, is located near the Royal Family’s country home at
Balmoral near Ballater and Braemar.
The tower house Castle was built in the 16th Century by the head of the Gordon family, Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar. He later became
the Earl of Huntly.
The Castle has three storeys and a basement area.
The Castle remained in the Gordon family for years, except for a short time during the first Jacobite rising. During this
time General Mackay used it as a garrison for his troops.
In 1848, when Price Albert was developing his Deeside Estate he unsuccessfully tried to bid for the Castle, though he was
granted a long term lease. Future generations of Royals, such as King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra and George V (whilst they
were still Princes and Princesses), then used the Castle as a summer home
The Ghost Of Abergeldie Castle
Abergeldie Castle is reputed to be haunted by Kittie Rankie who was burnt at the stake, for being a witch, on
the hilltop, Craig-na-Ban, overlooking the Castle. The ghost of Kittie has been seen in the Castle cellars where she was imprisoned
in the dungeon before her execution. The ghost is often called French Kate - in life she was a French woman
employed in the castle, until accused of practicing black magic. She was accused by her mistress who did not like her reply
to a question about the whereabouts of her master - Kittie (Catherine Frankie) replied that her husband was with another woman.
In the book Castles of the Clans: The Strongholds and Seats of 750 Scottish Families and Clans by Martin Coventry it says that the spirit of Kitty Rankie has been seen in the clock tower and that the bell tolls when death or misfortunate is about to strike the family.
How To Get To Abergeldie Castle
From Aberdeen take the A93.
More Aberdeenshire Castles.
More ghost stories from Aberdeenshire.
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Antique Letter Box
On Wednesday 19 September 2007 Bonhams the Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers from London held a valuation day at Banchory Lodge Hotel. During this auction event an antique letter box that was used by Queen Victoria at Abergeldie Castle in Royal Deeside during the time she leased the castle. The antique letter box is now owned by Victor Thom who took possession of it when he helped to clear out Abergeldie Castle in 1964.
Such antique letter boxes can command up to £3000 at auctions but staff at Bonhams think that the Abergeldie Castle antique letter box may fetch about £6000 because of the British Royal Family connection and also because it has been kept in great condition sitting in Victor Thom's hall.
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