Knock Castle: A Historic Scottish Tower House in Ballater

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Country: United Kingdom

Civilization: Unclassified

Remains: Military

History

Knock Castle is situated in Ballater, Scotland, and was constructed by Scottish lairds around the year 1600. The site has a long history connected to local noble families and clan rivalries.

Originally, the location was home to a timber stronghold known as Old Castle Knock, which dated from the 12th century. This early fortification belonged to the Earls of Mar until it passed into the hands of the Gordons of Abergeldie. The transfer occurred in the 16th century, following the Battle of Corrichie in 1562, when George Gordon, the 4th Earl of Huntly, granted the land to the Gordons of Abergeldie.

The first timber castle was destroyed in 1590 during conflict with the Clan Chattan (Macintosh), marking a violent chapter in the region’s history. Shortly after this event, the current stone tower house—Knock Castle—was built or remodeled, likely under Alexander Gordon, who succeeded his brother Henry Gordon as laird after Henry’s murder in 1592. This violent incident was part of an ongoing feud with the Clan Forbes, which also culminated in the deaths of Alexander’s seven sons in a battle against Forbes followers.

Knock Castle thus functioned as the residence of the laird, reflecting the style and role of Scottish landed gentry during this period. The castle witnessed turbulent clan disputes that shaped its early history. It remains a significant historical structure today, recognized for its association with these events and local aristocratic lineage.

Remains

Knock Castle today stands as a four-storey rectangular tower constructed from stone, measuring roughly 27 by 22 feet. The walls, about four feet thick, have survived intact, although the roof no longer exists and the interior remains mostly ruined. The thick stone walls and rectangular design typify Scottish tower houses of the early 1600s, built for both residence and defense.

Within the castle, traces of a vaulted basement are still visible. This vaulted area served as a kitchen, demonstrating the practical use of subterranean rooms for food preparation. Supporting movement between floors, a spiral staircase made of stone twists upward and is crowned by a gabled cap house—a small structure at the top that likely provided protection from the elements while allowing access to the roof.

A distinctive defensive feature of the castle includes rows of three small pistol shot holes beneath each window. The central hole points directly forward and downward toward the ground, while the two flanking holes angle slightly to either side. These openings allowed defenders to fire upon attackers while remaining protected within the strong walls.

Surrounding the tower are the visible foundations of a courtyard wall, which enclosed the castle grounds. The northern entrance to this courtyard was fortified with a sturdy wooden door reinforced by an iron yett, a type of metal gate designed to resist forced entry. Around the courtyard’s edge, outbuildings such as a brewery, stables, or bakehouse would have been arranged to support the household’s daily operations.

To the west of the tower lies an earthen mound, or motte, believed to hold remnants of the earlier 12th-century timber castle. Archaeological finds here include the remains of a corn-drying kiln, indicating the site’s long-term agricultural use connected to the castle’s occupants.

Today, Knock Castle—designated as a category B listed building—is preserved under the care of Historic Environment Scotland. Its surviving stone walls, defensive features, and the surrounding courtyard remnants stand as testament to its role in Scottish history and clan conflicts of the 16th and 17th centuries.