Castles and Estates
The Grahams made powerful alliances throughout Scotland which resulted in the family establishing bases from the Borders as far north as Montrose on the east coast just 40 miles south of Aberdeen.
Buchanan Castle
Built: 1854
Location: West of Drymen Village in Stirlingshire, Scotland
Graham Connection: The 4th Duke of Montrose commissioned William Burn to build this baronial-style manor after the original structure, the ancestral seat of the Clan Buchanan, burned down in 1852 (no Buchanan had lived there). The new building was used to replace Mugdock Castle and still serves as the official seat of the Clan Graham to this day.
Visitor Information: https://www.loch-lomond-waterfront.co.uk/things-to-do/castles/buchanan-castle/
Claypotts Castle
Built: Circa 1569-1588
Location: West Ferry area of Dundee, Scotland
Graham Connection: Sir William Graham of Ballunie purchased the medieval castle from the Strachan Family in 1601 and later sold it to Sir William Graham of Claverhouse. When Viscount “Bonnie” Dundee John Graham of Claverhouse died in the Battle of Killicrankie, the castle became the property of the Crown in 1689.
Visitor information: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/claypotts-castle/
Dalkeith Palace
Built: Castle:1140, Palace: 1711
Location: Dalkeith, Midlothian, Scotland
Graham Connection: Dalkeith was the first home of the Grahams in Scotland. The lands were granted to William de Graham circa 1124-1127. His descendant, Sir John Graham of Dalkeith, Abercorn and Eskdale, the younger, who died in 1362, was the last Graham owner of this castle on record. As a young man, Sir John resigned the entire barony of Dalkeith to his brother-in-law William Douglas, Lord of Liddesdale in 1341. Sir John’s son and heir, John Graham of Auchincloich, also resigned his rights to Dalkeith in 1370 to his first cousin, Sir James Douglas, who was also the great nephew and ultimate heir of Lord William Douglas after the death of Lord William’s only child. Dalkeith became the home of the Douglas Family until 1642 when it was sold to Francis Scott, 2nd Earl of Buccleuch. Dalkeith Palace that you can visit today, was completed in 1711 by the Buccleuch family.
Visitor information: https://www.dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk/
.
Photo by Maigheach-gheal, CC BY-SA-2.0
Hermitage Castle
Built: Circa 1240 through the mid-14th century
Location: Scottish Borders
Graham Connection: The Grahams were among many who once held this castle, as the clan was involved in the disputes of the “debatable lands” of the Solway Firth with the English in the 16th century, building tower houses near Lockerbie and Annan. The fortress was known as “The Strength of Liddesdale” and has a colorful history as “The Guardhouse of the Bloodiest Valley in Britain.” Now in semi-ruins, today the castle is under the care of Historic Scotland.
Visitor information: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/hermitage-castle/
Photo © Richard Sutcliffe (cc-by-sa/2.0)
Dundaff Castle, aka: “Sir John de Graham’s (Graeme’s) Castle”
Built: 13th century, destoyed about the 14th century
Location: It occupied a commanding position on raised ground near the Northwest end of the Carron Valley Reservoir.
Graham Connection: This motte and bailey castle is traditionally the home of Sir John Graham of Dundaff who was killed in action at the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. We believe it was the principal stronghold of the barony of Dundaff, first owned by Sir David de Graham, the founder of the house of Montrose, in 1237.
Visitor Information: https://thecastleguide.co.uk/castle/dundaff-castle/
Photo by: Derek Ferris CC BY-SA 2.0
Kilbryde Castle
Built: 1460
Location: Dunblane, Central Scotland
Graham Connection: Sir John Graham built this castle on the banks of Ardoch Burn. For more than 200 years, it belonged to Clan Graham under the Earls of Menteith. In 1669, the castle was sold to Sir Colin Campbell and is now the property of the Campbell Family.
Visitor information: https://www.kilbrydecastle.com/
Kincardine Castle
Built: 13th or 14th century
Location: Auchterarder in Perth and Kinross, Scotland
(Not to be confused with the event venue Kincardine Castle, on the Royal Deeside)
Graham Connection: Sir David de Graham built the earlier castle further up a glen. It is the other possible birthplace of the famous 1st Marquis of Montrose, James Graham. After the 1st Marquis led Covenanting Forces in the 1640s, his lands were forfeited and the castle was demolished in 1645. All that remains are a few of the foundational stones, some of which were used to build a local church in 1660. Only the tower of that old kirk still stands today with a plaque identifying that it was built from the stones of the castle. Pictured here are the ruins of the original castle walls.
Visitor Information: https://thecastleguide.co.uk/castle/kincardine-castle-kincardineshire/
Photo by Douglas Nelson, CC BY-SA-2.0
Mains (Fintry) Castle
Built: 1652-1582
Location: Fintry, Dundee, Scotland
Graham Connection: Sir David Graham built this castle as the seat of the Grahams of Fintry. In the 19th century, Robert Graham of Fintry sold the lands. A Graham Family mausoleum is located on the opposite side of Gelly Burn. Now part of a public park, the castle is a popular venue for weddings and events.
Visitor information: https://www.mainscastle.co.uk
Photo by: Elyse Wolfe
Mugdock Castle
Built: approx. 1300
Location: Milngavie, Mugdock, Glasgow, Scotland
Graham Connection: Mugdock Castle was the seat of the chiefs of Clan Graham, the Dukes of Montrose, from 1372 until 1700. In 1641, the castle was partly destroyed on orders from Parliament. The famous 1st Marquis of Montrose, James Graham, who may have been born there in 1612, continued to live there until 1644. After the execution of the Marquis in 1650, the lands were forfeited to the Marquis of Argyll, Archibald Campbell. In 1647, the second Marquis of Montrose purchased the castle and spent years attempting to restore it to its former glory. Similarly, the Mugdock Trust dedicates all our resources to that mission today.
Visitor information: https://www.eastdunbarton.gov.uk/services/a-z-of-services/parks-open-spaces/mugdock-park/about-the-park/
.
Stay Connected with Us
Want to see your connection to our Graham family tree?
1. Join for only $20.00 USD.
2. Contact our Clan Genealogist at genealogist@clangrahamsociety.org
