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A view of the castle, Ballindalloch painting
Tourist Travels
Jun 5
Other Scottish Country Dances for this Day
Today's Musings, History & Folklore
Whisper, whisper! If your summer travels take you to Speyside, the beautiful Ballindalloch Castle awaits! If not, try this John Drewry tribute strathspey, and petronella and meander both clockwise and anticlockwise around the virtual grounds in dance form. Situated in the heart of Speyside, Scotland, with origins dating back to 1546, Ballindalloch Castle was constructed by the Clan Grant. For over 450 years, the castle has remained in the same family, Initially a Z-shaped fortress designed to ward off invaders, and now with later additions, including beautiful gardens, remains an elegant example of Scottish baronial architecture with Victorian influences. Its history includes involvement in the Jacobite uprisings, the sacking and burning of the castle, damage by a great flood, and finally transformation into a Victorian mansion . Ballindalloch was also the ancestral home of W.E. Johns, author he Biggles stories, a series of adventure novels featuring James Bigglesworth, better known as Biggles. Biggles is a fictional British pilot and adventurer who initially appears as a fighter pilot in World War I. The stories span several decades, covering World War II and other periods, with Biggles taking on various roles as a pilot, adventurer, and detective. Today, Ballindalloch Castle is renowned for its beautifully maintained gardens, Spanish art collection, whisky distillery, and the estate's role in breeding the renowned Aberdeen Angus cattle! đ° đ đ đ´ó §ó ˘ó łó Łó ´ó ż đĽ đš
"Ballindalloch Castle, the Pearl of the North, stands as a serene and elegant testament to Scottish history, where every stone tells a tale and every room whispers of the past."
~ Paul Theroux
Ballindalloch
Ballindalloch Castle, often referred to as the "Pearl of the North," is a historic Scottish castle located in Banffshire, Scotland. Constructed in 1546, it has been the continuous residence of the Macpherson-Grant family since its inception. The castle is an exemplary Z-plan structure, with subsequent expansions added in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Throughout its history, the castle has witnessed various events, including a notable feud in the late 16th century and damage during the wars led by James Graham, the 1st Marquess of Montrose, before being restored in 1645.
The estate encompasses extensive gardens, including a 20th-century rock garden and a 17th-century dovecote. It is also known for its exceptional collection of Spanish paintings from the 17th century and for housing the famous Aberdeen Angus cattle herd.
Today, Ballindalloch Castle remains a private residence but is open to tourists during the summer months, providing a glimpse into Scotland's rich heritage and the storied past of the Macpherson-Grant family.
For more on the castle and to see the Spanish Art collection, click the Angus cow!
Click the dance cribs or description below to link to a printable version of the dance!