The Burning of Auchindoun

Auchindoun Castle in the north-east of Scotland was built five and a half centuries ago around 1470, and was occupied for 250 years before being abandoned in 1725. It had various owners and residents over time, but most notably it was Clan Gordon that would secure its place in history. The scale of political dealings and in-fighting, battles and murders, treachery and power struggles amongst the Scottish nobles and kings of the day, would stretch the credibility of any modern day drama or soap opera. It is no wonder there were over two thousand castles built in Scotland.

The castle was probably sacked and set ablaze at least twice; as revenge for the murders committed by the Laird of Auchindoun, Adam Gordon; and then 20 years later for the killing of the Earl of Moray, by the Chief of Clan Gordon, the Earl of Huntly.

The castle building is currently closed to full access due to structural fears. This is the link to the Historic Scotland website where you can check current access restrictions.
UPDATE:- The castle reopened to full public access February 2025
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/...


THE BURNING OF AUCHINDOUN – old Scottish Ballad:-
As I came in by Fiddich side, on a May morning,
I spied Willie Macintosh an hour before the dawning.
Turn again, turn again, turn again I bid ye.
If ye burn Auchindoun, Huntly he will heid ye. (behead)
Heid me or hang me, that will never fear me.
I will burn Auchindoun, ere the life leaves me.
As I came in by Fiddich side on a May morning,
Auchindoun was in a blaze an hour before the dawning.
Crawing, crawing, for all your crowse crawing,
You’ve burnt your crops and tint your wings
An hour before the dawning.


MUSIC:-
Winter Night - by Alexander Nakarada
Sorrow - by Alexander Nakarada
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Alexander Nakarada (www.serpentsoundstudios.com)
Licensed under Creative Commons BY Attribution 4.0 License
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

Ballad:-
The Burning of Auchindoun
Version by:-
TEUFELSTANZ - "Alternative Medieval Music" folk/rock band.
Thanks for your awesome rendering of this old Scottish ballad.
   • Teufelstanz - The Burning of Auchindoun (O...  
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INFORMATION LINKS
Ballad of Auchindoun:-
https://mainlynorfolk.info/june.tabor...

Clan Feud – Forbes Vs Gordon
https://www.clan-forbes.org/gordonfeud

General history info
https://www.thecastlesofscotland.co.u...
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auchind...

Adam Gordon
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Go...

6th Earl of Huntly
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_...