Castles of Clan Graham

Mugdock Castle
Mugdock Castle was the ancestral seat of Clan Graham from the 13th century and remained their stronghold for over 400 years. Located near Milngavie in Stirlingshire, it was originally built by Sir David de Graham and later expanded into a formidable medieval fortress. The castle was attacked and partially destroyed during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. In the late 17th century, the Grahams began relocating to Buchanan. Today, the dramatic ruins lie within Mugdock Country Park.

Buchanan Castle
Buchanan Castle near Drymen in Stirlingshire became the chief seat of the Dukes of Montrose after they acquired the Buchanan estate in the 17th century. The current Gothic Revival mansion was built in the 1850s to replace the older Buchanan Auld House. It served as a family home until the 1920s and was later used as a hospital during World War II. Although roofless and overgrown today, it remains the official seat of Clan Graham. Its ivy-clad ruins still reflect its former grandeur.

Dalkeith Castle (Dalkeith Palace)
Dalkeith Castle, in Midlothian, was held by the Graham family in the medieval period before passing to the Douglases through marriage. The Grahams controlled Dalkeith until the early 14th century, when Sir John de Graham died without issue. The castle was later replaced by the grand Dalkeith Palace in the 17th century. Though little of the original structure remains, the site reflects the clan’s early prominence. The palace now stands as a fine example of classical architecture.

Kincardine Castle (Auchterarder)
Located near Auchterarder in Perthshire, Kincardine Castle was held by the Grahams from the 13th century and became one of their principal residences. During the Civil War, it was besieged and destroyed in 1645 by Archibald Campbell, Marquess of Argyll. The site once featured a large tower house, now reduced to low stone ruins. Its destruction was part of the feud between Clan Graham and Clan Campbell. The ruins remain a testament to that turbulent era.

Inchtalla Castle (Talla Castle)
Inchtalla Castle was the seat of the Graham Earls of Menteith, built on Inch Talla Island in the Lake of Menteith in the 15th century. It was established by Malise Graham after he became Earl of Menteith in 1427. The island location provided natural defenses and a secluded setting for governance. Though now overgrown, remnants of the castle still stand. It reflects the Graham presence in the Trossachs region.

Mains Castle (Fintry Castle, Dundee)
Mains Castle, also known as Fintry Castle, was the seat of the Grahams of Fintry, a cadet branch of the clan. Built in 1562, it features a five-story tower with a courtyard and was occupied by the family for over two centuries. Located in Dundee’s Caird Park, it includes decorative corbeling and initials of its original owners. The estate was sold in the 19th century but has since been restored. Today, it serves as a historic venue in a public park.

Claypotts Castle
Claypotts Castle on the outskirts of Dundee came into Graham hands in the early 17th century. It was purchased by Sir William Graham of Claverhouse and later inherited by John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee. The castle’s Z-plan design and intact condition make it one of the best-preserved examples of its type. It remained in Graham ownership until it was seized after the Jacobite defeat in 1689. Now cared for by Historic Environment Scotland, it stands as a well-preserved relic of clan heritage.

Dudhope Castle
Dudhope Castle, overlooking Dundee, was occupied by John Graham of Claverhouse in the 1680s. He acquired the title of Constable of Dundee and used the castle as his main residence before leading the Jacobite Rising of 1689. The castle, originally built by the Scrymgeour family, features a large courtyard and symmetrical wings. After Graham’s death, it was forfeited and used as military barracks. It has since been restored and now serves as a civic building.

Sir John de Graham’s Castle (Dundaff Castle)
Located in Stirlingshire, Dundaff Castle is traditionally associated with Sir John de Graham, a companion of William Wallace. Though now a ruin, it was once the baronial seat of the medieval Graham line. Sir John was killed at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298, and a memorial near the site honors him. The castle’s remnants are minimal, but its historical legacy is significant. It marks the roots of the clan’s rise during the Wars of Independence.

Castles Loosely Associated with Clan Graham

Airthrey Castle
Airthrey Castle near Stirling was acquired by the Grahams in the 15th century and held until the late 17th century. It was burned during the Civil War, possibly by order of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose. The current mansion was rebuilt in the 18th century in the Adam style. Though no longer in Graham hands, it symbolizes the clan’s Lowland influence. Today, it is part of the University of Stirling.

Inverlochy Castle
Inverlochy Castle, near Fort William, was the site of a major Royalist victory led by James Graham, Marquess of Montrose, in 1645. His forces defeated the Campbells of Argyll beneath the castle walls in a surprise attack. Though Montrose never owned the site, the battle is a key moment in Graham military history. The 13th-century ruins remain remarkably intact. It stands as a monument to Montrose’s tactical brilliance.

Inveraray Castle
Inveraray Castle, seat of Clan Campbell, was attacked by Montrose’s forces during the Civil War. In 1644, Montrose led a winter raid into Campbell territory, sacking Inveraray and forcing the Marquess of Argyll to flee. Though the current Gothic Revival mansion was built later, the raid was a symbolic blow against the Campbells. The event underscored the fierce rivalry between the two clans. It remains one of the most dramatic moments in Graham-Campbell conflict.

Ardvreck Castle
Ardvreck Castle in Sutherland is known as the place where Montrose was betrayed in 1650 after his final failed campaign. Seeking shelter, he was captured and handed over to government forces by Neil MacLeod of Assynt. The tower’s remains stand on a rocky promontory in Loch Assynt. Though not a Graham property, it marks the tragic end of Montrose’s career. The site remains deeply tied to his legacy.

References

Coventry, M. (2010). The Castles of Scotland (5th ed.). Musselburgh: Goblinshead.
Tabraham, C. (2005). Scotland’s Castles. London: Batsford.
Brown, C. (2011). The Wars of Scotland, 1214–1371. Edinburgh: Edinburgh University Press.
MacLean, F.T. (1995). Highland Clans and Tartans. Edinburgh: Lomond Books.
Historic Environment Scotland. (n.d.). Castle listings. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
McKean, C. (2001). The Scottish Chateau: The Country House of Renaissance Scotland. Stroud: Sutton Publishing.
Simpson, W. D. (1931). Scottish Castles: An Introduction to the Castles of Scotland. Edinburgh: Her Majesty’s Stationery Office.