Huntly Castle is a famous fortification renowned both for its impressive architecture and eventful history. The current ruin is the third castle to guard the strategic river crossing of the Deveron at its confluence with the Bogie. The first motte-and-bailey was built in the late 12th century. It was replaced by a stone tower house during the 1400s, when it was granted to Sir Adam Gordon of Huntly by Robert the Bruce.

Successive Gordons of Huntly developed the stronghold into a stately stone palace. It was the 6th Earl of Huntly who added the heraldic frontispiece over the main entrance, the inscription on the roofline proclaiming the Gordons’ ownership of the castle, the double height oriel windows, the great round tower and rectangular turret, to celebrate him becoming the 1st Marquis of Huntly in 1599.