Castles of Clan Chattan
Moy Castle (Loch Moy, near Inverness)
Moy Castle was the historic seat of the chiefs of Clan Mackintosh, the leading family of the Clan Chattan confederation. Built in the 14th century on a small island in Loch Moy, it remained the principal residence of the Mackintosh chiefs until the early 18th century, when it was replaced by Moy Hall on the loch’s shore. The castle was at the center of many clan gatherings and served as a refuge during conflict, most famously during the Jacobite era. Only low ruins remain today, but the island is marked by a monument commemorating the Mackintosh legacy. Its secluded setting makes it one of the most iconic historic sites of Clan Chattan.
Cluny Castle (Laggan, near Newtonmore)
Cluny Castle was the ancestral home of the Macpherson chiefs, a key member clan of the Clan Chattan confederation. The original medieval structure was destroyed by government troops in 1746 as punishment for the clan’s support of the Jacobite Rising. A new castle was built in the 19th century in the Scottish Baronial style and remains a private residence. The site is historically significant for sheltering Cluny Macpherson during his years in hiding after Culloden. Its turrets and battlements stand as a powerful symbol of Highland resilience.
Newton Castle (Blairgowrie, Perthshire)
Newton Castle has been the seat of the Macpherson chiefs since 1787, when it was purchased by Colonel Alan Macpherson. Originally built in the 16th century, the Z-plan tower house features round corner turrets and thick stone walls. The castle has since been expanded and retains its historic character. It continues to serve as a private residence and the ancestral home of the current Macpherson chief. Newton Castle reflects the evolution of Clan Chattan’s influence into the modern era.
Dalcross Castle (Croy, east of Inverness)
Dalcross Castle was constructed in 1620 and later came into the possession of Clan Mackintosh. The chief Lachlan Mackintosh died there in 1704, and the estate played a strategic role during the Jacobite risings. Troops gathered at Dalcross on the eve of the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The castle’s thick walls, crow-stepped gables, and defensive layout remain largely intact. It stands today as a privately owned structure with deep ties to Clan Chattan’s military history.
Rait Castle (near Nairn, Inverness-shire)
Rait Castle was originally a Comyn stronghold that later passed to Clan Mackintosh following a violent feud. According to legend, the castle was the site of a massacre during a peace banquet gone wrong, and the ghost of a “handless lady” is said to haunt the ruins. The 13th-century hall-house features intact walls, narrow arrow slits, and traces of its gatehouse. Though roofless, it is one of the best-preserved medieval hall-houses in Scotland. Its grim history marks a turning point in Mackintosh-Comyn rivalry.
Ballindalloch Castle (Banffshire, Speyside)
Ballindalloch Castle is a 16th-century Z-plan tower house that became connected to Clan Chattan through the Macpherson-Grant family. Originally a Grant property, it passed by inheritance and marriage to the Macphersons, who maintain ownership today. The castle features battlements, turrets, and beautiful gardens and is still inhabited. It also houses a family museum with exhibits on Clan Chattan. Known as the “Pearl of the North,” Ballindalloch remains a living symbol of Macpherson heritage.
Braemar Castle (Braemar, Aberdeenshire)
Braemar Castle became the seat of the Farquharsons, a clan that joined the Clan Chattan confederation in the 16th century. Built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar, it was later torched and then acquired by the Farquharsons in 1732. The L-plan castle features star-shaped curtain walls and many historical exhibits. It remained in Farquharson hands until the 2000s and is now community-run. The castle embodies the Farquharson chapter of Clan Chattan history.
Invercauld Castle (near Braemar, Aberdeenshire)
Invercauld Castle is the ancestral home of the Farquharson chiefs, situated in the Cairngorms near Braemar. The original tower house was transformed in the 19th century into a baronial mansion with turrets and castellated towers. The Farquharsons have maintained ownership since the 1500s, with the estate remaining private. The castle grounds include forests and Highland scenery, emphasizing the clan’s historic stewardship of the land. Invercauld represents the lasting legacy of Clan Chattan’s Farquharson branch.
Dunmaglass (Strathnairn, south of Inverness)
Dunmaglass was the traditional seat of Clan MacGillivray, another important member of the Clan Chattan confederation. The estate has been associated with the clan since at least the 16th century. Alexander MacGillivray of Dunmaglass led the Chattan regiment at Culloden and was killed in the battle. A cairn near the estate commemorates his sacrifice. Though no original castle survives, the site remains symbolic of MacGillivray leadership and valor.
Tulloch Castle (Dingwall, Ross-shire)
Tulloch Castle was the seat of Clan Davidson, a historical Clan Chattan affiliate. The castle dates to at least the 14th century and features a stone keep with later Georgian additions. It passed into the Davidson family in the 18th century and was expanded further. Noted for its “Green Lady” ghost and extensive great hall, Tulloch now functions as a hotel. It remains a strong link to Davidson clan history within the Chattan network.
Castles Loosely Associated with Clan Chattan
Castle Stuart (Petty, east of Inverness)
Castle Stuart, a grand 17th-century tower house near Inverness, was briefly held by Clan Mackintosh during a dispute over ownership. Though built by the Earl of Moray, the Mackintosh chief claimed rights to the land and occupied it for a time. The disagreement was eventually resolved, and the castle returned to its original owners. It has since been restored and now operates as a hotel. The episode reflects Clan Chattan’s assertiveness in regional disputes.
Culloden House (Culloden, near Inverness)
Culloden House was once a fortified residence held by Clan Mackintosh in the 16th century before being sold to the Forbes family. It played a role during the 1745 Jacobite Rising, when Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed there prior to the Battle of Culloden. Though not a long-term Chattan residence, it remains tied to the clan’s military legacy. The current structure is an elegant Georgian mansion. It is now a hotel, surrounded by historic gardens and parkland.
Keppoch Castle (Spean Bridge, Lochaber)
Keppoch Castle was the seat of the MacDonalds of Keppoch, who had long-standing feuds with the Mackintoshes. In 1690, the Crown granted Mackintosh legal ownership of the land, though the MacDonalds retained control. The castle was abandoned and later ruined. Only earthworks and traces of masonry remain. Its contested status reflects the clan rivalries that shaped Highland history.
Blair Castle (Blair Atholl, Perthshire)
Blair Castle, seat of the Murrays of Atholl, was briefly seized by Macpherson forces during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. Though held only for a short time, it demonstrated the clan’s active military involvement. The castle features battlements, towers, and one of Scotland’s grandest interiors. It remains a prominent Highland landmark. The Macpherson connection adds a layer to its complex past.
Loch an Eilein Castle (Rothiemurchus, Inverness-shire)
Loch an Eilein Castle, built by the Comyns in the 13th century, came under the influence of the Shaws of Rothiemurchus, a Clan Chattan member. Though never a principal residence, the castle was used during periods of conflict and as a prison in the Jacobite era. The ruin stands on a small island in the loch, now submerged at high water. Surrounded by forest, it is one of the most photographed ruins in the Highlands. Its association with Clan Chattan reflects the Shaw presence in Rothiemurchus.
References
Coventry, M. (2010). The Castles of Scotland (5th ed.). Musselburgh: Goblinshead.
Tabraham, C. (2005). Scotland’s Castles. London: Batsford.
Historic Environment Scotland. (n.d.). Castle Records and Listings.
Macpherson, C. (1992). The Macphersons of Cluny. Edinburgh: Clan Macpherson Museum.
Mackintosh, D. (2008). Clan Mackintosh: Chiefs and Castles. Inverness: Clan Mackintosh Society.
Clan Chattan Association. (n.d.). Clan Chattan History & Member Clans.