This just popped up on my home page and thought it looked interesting. It was!! The English (I'm English) invaded Scotland ... again. Yeah, we're good at that. But bloody hell, there was a great deal of in fighting. The Scottish clans were evil and brutal to each other, with no help from us. It is a testament to the structure of Achindoun that it still stands, though sadly diminished though war, fire and theft. One thing that struck me was the description of the castle's name, and I latched onto it. Is the word 'Doun' where we Brits get the word 'Downs', to describe a high point???? In Somerset there is Brean Downs which is definitely high up. I have to say also, that the drone work you did is spectacular, and the control of it as well as the optics are brilliant!!
Thanks for the great review! You are right that the scottish clans and nobles managed quite well on their own to be at constant war with each other. I could not cover the half of it in a several hour long video. Interesting idea that the word ‘Downs’ might have a common origin to doun. In most scots dialects, doun (or doon) does mean down. Thanks for your comment. Made my night.
Brilliant filming, backed by accurate historic story telling Lovely soundtrack very powerfull. Thank you for keeping everything alive. This is definitely an award winning piece...you are wasted... if your phone is ringing its most probably the BBC trying to convince you to do a 6 part feature on Scottish Castle history
Thanks Mark, part of me said the music was too much, but I liked it… so more than happy to get your thumbs up. This is just an enjoyable hobby, I doubt anyone could pay me enough to turn it into a job! Thanks again.
Auchinduin the name actually is "Field/Pasture of the Fort" was as you state the Hold of Edom O Gordon the notorious Burner of the Forbes Hold of Corgarff Tower and it was my Ancestors who were slaughtered there after the treacherous Jock Broun showed the Gordons where fire actually smoke could be introduced via "The Groundwallstane" a removeable stone block for cleaning out the Soil Pit one of Jocks duties he did not survive long as he was slain one dark night but there were two women that escaped that night sisters Margaret and Jonet Forbes taken by the Gordons the latter was actually pregnant and was forced to marry James Gorden Edom's cousin and she bore him three children which why i can speak today.The Forbes never forgot this massacre eventually gaining revenge.The carved stonework and most of the fireplaces were removed two fine examples are in the nearby Mains O Auchinduin Farmhouse after the Castle was abandoned in 1685 after the failure of Argyll's Rising against James V11/11 the Ogilvies who had inherited the Castle after marrying the Gordon Heiress finally moved out to a mansion in 1700 at Boyndie near the coast.
Thanks for the info, a few details I had not seen. I had to leave out so much and the video still became longer than I intended. My hope is that it might inspire people to take an interest. Funny, but I’ve just been filming at Boyne, and Findlater, but it will probably be next year before I get the time to work on those.
@@Highland-Highlights You are welcome and your video was truly superb and i was happy to add some facts my cousin who lives in Fyvie has the Family Bible dating from 1617 has our Family History Annotated in the Margins and there was an earlier Tower ruined in 1452 by the Black Douglas in the Civil War 1452-55 and King James 11nd and the Lands granted to Sir Thomas Cochrane a favourite of James 111rd who was hung at Haddington Brig with the other favourites of the King in 1482 in the famous "Bell the Cats Incident" they were accused of having too much influence on James.The Gordon's known as "The Cocks O North" were actually Seton's a Lothian Noble Family who married the Gordon Heiress Isabelle Gordon C 1400 her G/Great Grandfather an Bruce Adherent from Gordon in Berwickshire was granted the forfeited Strathbogie Lands in 1313 and gradually the Gordons acquired more and more lands gaining the above title.Edom as was to be expected died violently at the hands of my family as did the abducted Jonet's husband James and she with her 3 children got to safety at Fyvie Castle.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge Geoff, you certainly know your stuff. Wish I knew even something about my family history. As a Stewart, I do wonder, but never had anything passed down. Just last year I first heard the phrase Cock o the North when I was researching the moments in Elgin and near Aviemore, to the last Duke of Gordon. For sure those Gordons left a mark.
@@Highland-Highlights The Stewarts/Stuarts were like half the Scots Nobility of Anglo Norman Ancestry your family progenitor was Alan of Brittany who was invited up to Scotland by Alexander 1st in AD1118 and after proving their loyalty to the Ceannmore Dynasty were made Hereditary Palace Stewards by David 1st in 1130 and granted the Isle of Bute where today you can still see their Castle a Shell Keep of C1140 with later Roundtowers and a Gatehouse of the late 13thC and late 15th C.Rothesay Castle is the oldest known Castle in Alba.The Stewarts rose to power when Walter Stewart married King Robert 1st Heiress Marjorie in 1317 their son became Robert 11nd in 1371 he was a Ladies man and sired at least 15 children half of whom were Bastards but were made noble.A good way of learning Scots History is to read Nigel Tranter 1920-2000 novels as they contain a huge amount of fact inc your family history as most Stuarts today descend from John or Iain Stewart the Eldest Bastard of Robert 11nd.I personally have studied Scottish History for over 60yrs and is the Forbes Family Historian so don't hesitate to ask any questions,All the Best Geoff Forbes Hunter, actually the Hunters are a Sept of the Stuarts we originate from Hunterston in Ayrshire and still live in our 15th C Tower and Little Cumbrae Castle in the Firth of Clyde belongs to us too.
Thanks again Geoff, yeah I was aware of the Stewarts messy genealogy, so I’ve always thought it pointless trying to look into mine, and besides I’d rather not be related to so many shady characters. I mentioned one of Robert II sons, Alexander, in my video here about Lochindorb. Thanks for the tip about Tranter, for sure I’ll be on World Of Books website later. I don’t plan making too many castle videos because of the research needed, but when I do I will take you up on the kind offer to pick your brains. Are you on Facebook? Or send me an email, I’ve put mine in the ‘About’ section here.
My stepdad was Clan Forbes. He said he tried to be friends with Gordon but that he was "...a wee bawbag” which could explain why they burned down Forbes' castle. I am Clan McIntosh and I can state, unequivocally that Huntley was asking for it. He was the Gladys Kravitz of the Medieval Highlands and nobody likes a busybody.
Hi, yeah the Huntly’s back then were players, I barely covered 1% of their exploits. The 6th Earl was in cahoots with the Stewart kings, he married a Stewart, yet murdered a Stewart. As I’m a Stewart myself, I’m glad it’s all in the past. Thanks for your comment.
Corgarff Tower was not actually burnt down as these Stone Vaulted Towers were nearly fireproof,as stated above a fire was lit then damp wood piled on so as to introduce smoke into the Tower and apart from two young women all were suffocated.Corgarff today is intact in National Care and is open for visitors.
Appreciate your comment… it would be a long way for you to come for a small castle you can’t even get into at the moment. Thanks, I’m liking your videos, and drone work.
@@Highland-Highlights There are nearly 1000 stone Castles and Towers in Scotland today some still lived in but most are derelict there are 8 within a 10 mile radius of Stirling for example.
I’m sure the restrictions are to protect themselves from being sued. I’ve been round some non ‘Historic Scotland’ castles in a lot worse and dangerous condition than Auchindoun.
Excellent wee documentary . Leaves many corporate efforts in the shade.
Many thanks... really appreciate you comment.
This just popped up on my home page and thought it looked interesting. It was!! The English (I'm English) invaded Scotland ... again. Yeah, we're good at that. But bloody hell, there was a great deal of in fighting. The Scottish clans were evil and brutal to each other, with no help from us.
It is a testament to the structure of Achindoun that it still stands, though sadly diminished though war, fire and theft.
One thing that struck me was the description of the castle's name, and I latched onto it. Is the word 'Doun' where we Brits get the word 'Downs', to describe a high point???? In Somerset there is Brean Downs which is definitely high up.
I have to say also, that the drone work you did is spectacular, and the control of it as well as the optics are brilliant!!
Thanks for the great review! You are right that the scottish clans and nobles managed quite well on their own to be at constant war with each other. I could not cover the half of it in a several hour long video. Interesting idea that the word ‘Downs’ might have a common origin to doun. In most scots dialects, doun (or doon) does mean down. Thanks for your comment. Made my night.
Absolutely amazing and SO informative! ❤
Thanks, glad you liked.
Brilliant filming, backed by accurate historic story telling Lovely soundtrack very powerfull. Thank you for keeping everything alive. This is definitely an award winning piece...you are wasted... if your phone is ringing its most probably the BBC trying to convince you to do a 6 part feature on Scottish Castle history
Thanks Mark, part of me said the music was too much, but I liked it… so more than happy to get your thumbs up. This is just an enjoyable hobby, I doubt anyone could pay me enough to turn it into a job! Thanks again.
Great history , its good to hear the story of outlying casles and the family who owned them, which i like to know about.
Hi noreenclark, I’m with you, the commentary has to tell us something interesting.
i see Auchindoun. i subscribed
😁👍thanks.
Auchinduin the name actually is "Field/Pasture of the Fort" was as you state the Hold of Edom O Gordon the notorious Burner of the Forbes Hold of Corgarff Tower and it was my Ancestors who were slaughtered there after the treacherous Jock Broun showed the Gordons where fire actually smoke could be introduced via "The Groundwallstane" a removeable stone block for cleaning out the Soil Pit one of Jocks duties he did not survive long as he was slain one dark night but there were two women that escaped that night sisters Margaret and Jonet Forbes taken by the Gordons the latter was actually pregnant and was forced to marry James Gorden Edom's cousin and she bore him three children which why i can speak today.The Forbes never forgot this massacre eventually gaining revenge.The carved stonework and most of the fireplaces were removed two fine examples are in the nearby Mains O Auchinduin Farmhouse after the Castle was abandoned in 1685 after the failure of Argyll's Rising against James V11/11 the Ogilvies who had inherited the Castle after marrying the Gordon Heiress finally moved out to a mansion in 1700 at Boyndie near the coast.
Thanks for the info, a few details I had not seen. I had to leave out so much and the video still became longer than I intended. My hope is that it might inspire people to take an interest. Funny, but I’ve just been filming at Boyne, and Findlater, but it will probably be next year before I get the time to work on those.
@@Highland-Highlights You are welcome and your video was truly superb and i was happy to add some facts my cousin who lives in Fyvie has the Family Bible dating from 1617 has our Family History Annotated in the Margins and there was an earlier Tower ruined in 1452 by the Black Douglas in the Civil War 1452-55 and King James 11nd and the Lands granted to Sir Thomas Cochrane a favourite of James 111rd who was hung at Haddington Brig with the other favourites of the King in 1482 in the famous "Bell the Cats Incident" they were accused of having too much influence on James.The Gordon's known as "The Cocks O North" were actually Seton's a Lothian Noble Family who married the Gordon Heiress Isabelle Gordon C 1400 her G/Great Grandfather an Bruce Adherent from Gordon in Berwickshire was granted the forfeited Strathbogie Lands in 1313 and gradually the Gordons acquired more and more lands gaining the above title.Edom as was to be expected died violently at the hands of my family as did the abducted Jonet's husband James and she with her 3 children got to safety at Fyvie Castle.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge Geoff, you certainly know your stuff. Wish I knew even something about my family history. As a Stewart, I do wonder, but never had anything passed down. Just last year I first heard the phrase Cock o the North when I was researching the moments in Elgin and near Aviemore, to the last Duke of Gordon. For sure those Gordons left a mark.
@@Highland-Highlights The Stewarts/Stuarts were like half the Scots Nobility of Anglo Norman Ancestry your family progenitor was Alan of Brittany who was invited up to Scotland by Alexander 1st in AD1118 and after proving their loyalty to the Ceannmore Dynasty were made Hereditary Palace Stewards by David 1st in 1130 and granted the Isle of Bute where today you can still see their Castle a Shell Keep of C1140 with later Roundtowers and a Gatehouse of the late 13thC and late 15th C.Rothesay Castle is the oldest known Castle in Alba.The Stewarts rose to power when Walter Stewart married King Robert 1st Heiress Marjorie in 1317 their son became Robert 11nd in 1371 he was a Ladies man and sired at least 15 children half of whom were Bastards but were made noble.A good way of learning Scots History is to read Nigel Tranter 1920-2000 novels as they contain a huge amount of fact inc your family history as most Stuarts today descend from John or Iain Stewart the Eldest Bastard of Robert 11nd.I personally have studied Scottish History for over 60yrs and is the Forbes Family Historian so don't hesitate to ask any questions,All the Best Geoff Forbes Hunter, actually the Hunters are a Sept of the Stuarts we originate from Hunterston in Ayrshire and still live in our 15th C Tower and Little Cumbrae Castle in the Firth of Clyde belongs to us too.
Thanks again Geoff, yeah I was aware of the Stewarts messy genealogy, so I’ve always thought it pointless trying to look into mine, and besides I’d rather not be related to so many shady characters. I mentioned one of Robert II sons, Alexander, in my video here about Lochindorb. Thanks for the tip about Tranter, for sure I’ll be on World Of Books website later. I don’t plan making too many castle videos because of the research needed, but when I do I will take you up on the kind offer to pick your brains. Are you on Facebook? Or send me an email, I’ve put mine in the ‘About’ section here.
My stepdad was Clan Forbes. He said he tried to be friends with Gordon but that he was "...a wee bawbag” which could explain why they burned down Forbes' castle.
I am Clan McIntosh and I can state, unequivocally that Huntley was asking for it. He was the Gladys Kravitz of the Medieval Highlands and nobody likes a busybody.
Hi, yeah the Huntly’s back then were players, I barely covered 1% of their exploits. The 6th Earl was in cahoots with the Stewart kings, he married a Stewart, yet murdered a Stewart. As I’m a Stewart myself, I’m glad it’s all in the past. Thanks for your comment.
@@Highland-Highlights 🥰
Corgarff Tower was not actually burnt down as these Stone Vaulted Towers were nearly fireproof,as stated above a fire was lit then damp wood piled on so as to introduce smoke into the Tower and apart from two young women all were suffocated.Corgarff today is intact in National Care and is open for visitors.
👍👍
😊😊thanks.
On the summits so they can see there domains.
yeah, and so they can't be surrounded.
Thanks for the info. On a rocky outcrop sticking out of boggy ground would certainly have helped with defence.
Looks like ill be making a trip lol
Appreciate your comment… it would be a long way for you to come for a small castle you can’t even get into at the moment. Thanks, I’m liking your videos, and drone work.
@@Highland-Highlights thanks friend, most appreciated :)
@@Highland-Highlights There are nearly 1000 stone Castles and Towers in Scotland today some still lived in but most are derelict there are 8 within a 10 mile radius of Stirling for example.
We just went in anyway - been visiting ruins since before nannystate Health and safety existed
I’m sure the restrictions are to protect themselves from being sued. I’ve been round some non ‘Historic Scotland’ castles in a lot worse and dangerous condition than Auchindoun.
good vid very much loved
Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
cathlics
Yeah, the feud between the Gordon and the Forbes families did have a religious element to it. The Gordons being catholic and the Forbes protestant.