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Duffus Castle's ruined stone keep on its grassy motte above the flat fields of the Laich of Moray.
Morayshire

Duffus Castle

One of Scotland's finest motte and bailey castles, a ruined stone keep high on its mound above the flat fields near Elgin, free to explore.

Welcome

Out on the flat, fertile fields of the Laich of Moray, a great grassy mound rises from the land with the broken walls of a stone keep on top.

Duffus Castle is one of the finest motte and bailey castles in Scotland, and you can see it from miles away.

The first castle here was built of timber in the 1100s by the Moray family. In the 1300s it was rebuilt in stone, and for a time it was one of the strongest castles in the country, a fortress and a home for more than five hundred years until it was finally abandoned in 1705.

Today it is in the care of Historic Environment Scotland, free and open all year. A path and wooden steps lead up the motte to the keep, and from the top you look out across the patchwork fields of the Laich. It is an easy stop on the way from Elgin to the coast.

Before you go

Open all year round and free.

Where
Near Elgin, IV30 5RH.
Built
Timber in the 1100s, stone in the 1300s.
Care of
Historic Environment Scotland.

Did you know

Duffus Castle's ruined stone keep rises above its steep grassy motte and a wooden staircase.
Did you know

Timber before stone.

The first castle on the mound was built of timber in the 1100s; the stone keep came in the 1300s.

A wooden footbridge leads toward Duffus Castle's ruined stone keep on its grassy motte.
Did you know

Home for five centuries.

Duffus was a fortress and home for more than 500 years, until it was abandoned in 1705.

Ben Lerwill

From our guide to Moray

Now in a state of decay – albeit a visually impressive one – this medieval stronghold spent more than half a millennium as a fortress-residence, becoming the ancestral seat of the earls of Moray. The building has today been empty for more than 300 years, but still gives off an aura of importance.

Read more
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Where it is

North-west of Elgin in the Laich of Moray, IV30 5RH.

Close byElgin.
  1. Kula Coffee HutKula Coffee HutA shepherd's hut at Duffus Castle serving barista coffee, speciality tea, hot chocolate and cakes, with local ice cream in summer.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. Weathered rock pools with pebbles lead down to a wave-lined shoreClashach CoveA sandstone cove on the coast nearby.4 miles 8 min by road
  3. Sandy beach curves towards a rocky headland under clear blue skyHopeman East BeachThe larger of Hopeman's two beaches, a curve of golden sand with rock pools, surf, colourful beach huts and dolphins out in the firth.4 miles 7 min by road
  4. Moray Golf ClubMoray Golf ClubOld Tom Morris's links of 1889 on the shore at Lossiemouth, with Covesea lighthouse at one end and the clubhouse above the last green.5 miles 7 min by road
  5. Spynie PalaceSpynie PalaceThe bishops' palace just north of Elgin.5 miles 7 min by road
  6. Elgin CathedralElgin CathedralThe great ruined cathedral in Elgin.5 miles 9 min by road
Directions
Sandstone clock tower and mercat cross framed by tree branchesAttractionsElgin4.8 miles
Lion-mermaid statue in top hat stands beneath a rainbow on Elgin high streetAttractionsDandy Lion Statue5.1 miles
Grassy promenade beside the Firth, stone houses and shops lining the roadAttractionsLossiemouth5.1 miles
Framed landscape painting on stone wall above a leather dining chairRestaurantsThe Drouthy Cobbler5.2 miles
Bookshop interior with shelves of colourful titles and a central display tableShoppingYeadon's of Elgin5.3 miles
Crystal chandelier hangs above set tables with wine glasses in a dark green dining roomRestaurantsOrrin Restaurant5.3 miles
White lighthouse and red-roofed building beyond a small pond and dunesAttractionsSculptor’s Cave5.4 miles
Stone building with gabled dormers beside a clock tower flying the Union flagAttractionsJohnstons of Elgin5.7 miles
Sandstone rock formations and pebbles along a shoreline with waves breakingAttractionsBurghead Pictish Fort6.4 miles
The Daily for 19 October, from Scotland with love. bare tree stumps standing in an autumn loch, forested hills reflected in the still water

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the castle, and when each is next free.

The Gatehouse, MorayshireThe Gatehouse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Elgin
  • 6 miles from Duffus Castle
Check datesA yellow-harled tower house with battlements flies a flag above conical yew trees and a lawn.Innes House
  • Sleeps 38
  • In Elgin
  • 6 miles from Duffus Castle
Check datesA white harled farmhouse with a slate roof and chimneys stands amid greenery under a blue sky.Viewfield Farmhouse
  • Sleeps 8
  • In Elgin
  • 6 miles from Duffus Castle
Check datesThe timber cabin lit at dusk against a pink sky, a hot tub steaming on the deck beside two chairs.Callie Bothy
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Pluscarden
  • 7 miles from Duffus Castle
Free 19–22 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in MorayshireAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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