Geograph - photograph every grid square

A Scheduled Monument. This is probably the Comyn castle of Mortlach which was built in the second half of the 13th century and was taken by Robert the Bruce in 1308. One of Scotland�s oldest stone castles, much of the form of the early castle of enclosure can still be seen. Possibly obtained in 1362, it was certainly held by Sir James Douglas by early in the 15th century, he probably rebuilt much of the castle. In 1455 James II entrusted the castle to Sir John Stewart, later 1st Earl of Atholl. The early 16th century saw the building of a range of service chambers against the inside of the east wall that were partly rebuilt between 1547 and 1557 by John Stewart the fourth earl of Atholl. The Atholl building with large round tower and moulded windows is rather more of a domestic structure. In 1614 Balvenie was sold to Robert Innes. His family suffered much by supporting the Royalist side in the Civil War, and had to sell the property to the Duffs of Braco in 1687. It was not occupied after William Duff committed suicide here in 1718, and was unroofed by 1724 although the Duke of Cumberland, briefly held it in 1746. The ruins were put into the care of the State in 1929 and is now managed by Historic Environment Scotland although it appears to be owned by American Jeremy Nicholson Baron of Balvenie whose uncle purchased the tittle in 1998.