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Braemar History

Braemar, a duel township with Auchendryone on one side and Castleton on the other bank of the Cluny burn where it enters the River Dee. Both were preceded when Malcolm de Drummond was granted a licence by King Robert II to build Kindrochit Castle (1390). This castle is now a ruin but in its time its tower was the fifth largest in all Scotland. Although Braemar is known today for the Braemar Gathering, of which Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II is patron, there have been "gatherings" here since the days of King Malcolm Canmore (1058-1093). One such gathering, for a rather more serious purpose, took place on the afternoon of 26th August 1715. This was a "conclave" of Jacobite sympathisers, convened by the Earl of Mar and as history tells, the fated decision was taken. There are now hotels on the site where, on the morning of 6th September that same year, the standard was raised for the "Old Pretender" (King James VIII). A mile or so east of the village overlooking the River Dee stands Braemar Castle, built by the Earl of Mar in 1628 and burned sixty years later by the Farquharsons during Claverhouse's ("Bonnie Dundee") campaign. Eventually the castle was leased to the government for a period of ninety-nine years during which time it was used as barracks from which the military could keep a watchful eye on the "turbulent Highlands". The castle has undergone much alteration and extension over the centuries. During its period in govenment hands a rectangular rampart was added, with salients projecting from each face to form an eight-pointed star - one of the most outstanding examples of a Hanoverian fort. At a later date the turrets were raised one storey and the gingerbread battlements that are visible today were added. It is still possible to see some 18th century graffiti, scored on the interior woodwork by the garrison's foot-soldiers! Last updated April 2000 © Scottish Towns