Standing tall amidst the remote Scottish Highlands is Braemar Castle, a historic tower house boasting a colorful past. Built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar, it began as a grand hunting lodge. The imposing structure replaced an even older castle, Kindrochit, reflecting the region’s rich medieval history.

Braemar Castle’s story goes beyond its imposing stone walls. It has witnessed the rise and fall of Jacobite rebellions, even serving as a base for the failed 1715 uprising.

The castle’s life wasn’t without turmoil. During the 1689 Jacobite Uprising, John Farquharson, leader of the Inverey Farquharsons, torched the castle to prevent government troops from using it as a base. By the next Jacobite rebellion in 1715, the Earls of Mar had switched sides. The 6th Earl even raised the Jacobite standard at Braemar, but the rebellion failed. The Earl fled Scotland, and the castle was seized by the Crown.

Ironically, the Farquharsons, who had once attacked the castle, ended up owning it. They purchased it in 1716, though it remained in ruins for decades. Finally, in 1748, the British government leased the castle, transforming it into a garrison to control the region after the final Jacobite uprising.

The 20th century brought new residents: the Farquharson clan chiefs. Their influence is evident in the castle’s charming interiors, decorated with personal belongings and memorabilia. Visitors can explore 12 furnished rooms, including a grand dining room, a drawing-room, and Victorian bathrooms. A unique feature is the right-winding spiral staircase, leading guests on a historical journey through the castle’s three floors.

Today, Braemar Castle stands as a reminder of Scotland’s turbulent past and the power struggles that shaped the Highlands.