The castle that changed its name in shame

Once known as Ruthven Castle the imposing tower house nestling beside the main road to Crieff near Perth has a unique place in Scottish history.

Over the centuries it has been the site of conspiracy, intrigue and betrayal but also played host to some of the most colourful characters in Scottish history.

Mary, Queen of Scots is known to have stayed there in 1565, while on honeymoon with Lord Darnley, and only a year later the 3rd Lord Ruthven, Patrick, was one of the men who murdered David Rizzio, Queen Mary’s secretary, in 1566.

In 1694 the castle was the birthplace of Lord George Murray, the nobleman soldier who became Bonnie Prince Charlie’s general in the 1745 rebellion and commanded the Jacobites at Culloden.

Second floor fireplace in the east tower

Hartlepool Marina CC BY-SA 4.0

Built in stages between the 15th and 17th centuries the castle was once the stronghold of the Ruthven clan, who are known to have settled in the area sometime in the 1100s, and was for many years known as the Palace of Ruthven.

The Ruthvens fought in the Wars of Independence against the English invaders and were rewarded by being made Sheriffs of Perth in 1313, and then the Lords Ruthven in 1488. William, Master of Ruthven, was killed at the Battle of Flodden in 1513.

However, its darkest days began in 1582 when the castle played a significant role in a power grab. The 4th Lord Ruthven, also known as the 1st Earl of Gowrie, kidnapped the young King James VI, in what has gone down in history as the Ruthven Raid, and held him prisoner for almost a year.

Remains of wall art inside Huntingtower Castle

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The idea was to gain power by controlling the young king. Unfortunately James escaped and although he initially pardoned Gowrie a second attempt at a coup d’etat a short time later resulted in the earl being executed and the castle seized by the crown.

After just four years the castle was returned to the Ruthven family but conspiracy reared its ugly head once again and in 1600 brothers John and Alexander Ruthven were accused of attempting to kidnap the monarch and were killed in a fight with the King’s men.

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Repercussions on the family were swift. The castle and lands were confiscated, their name was abolished, the castle was renamed Huntingtower, and a decree was made that successors to the Ruthven name could never again hold titles or lands.

The castle remained a Royal property until 1643 when it was gifted to Murray of Tullibardine, forefather of the Dukes of Atholl and Mansfield.

The 1st Duke of Atholl, John Murray, and his family lived in the house until 1767 when it was abandoned as a formal residence. Only caretakers and custodians lived there until 2002.

Today the castle is managed by Historic Scotland and open to the public. It is sometimes used as a wedding venue. Details of opening times can be found on their website.

Although it looks like a single building, the castle is unusual in that it comprises two towers, initially with a gap of three metres between them and connected by a wooden bridge which could be drawn up as a defence mechanism if the castle was attacked.

Ground floor staircase

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Sometime in the 16th century the great hall was built, although little now remains. What does survive are remnants of early 16th-century paintings on the first floor of the Eastern Tower. Images of flowers, animals and Biblical scenes adorn the walls and there is a unique painted wooden ceiling, believed to be the earliest of its kind to survive in Scotland, with designs of grotesque animals Renaissance-style patterns.

This well preserved example of a historic tower house, like most castles in Scotland, is reputed to have at least one ghostly occupant.

Lady Greensleeves, as she has become known in legend, is said to haunt the castle and its grounds. Her ghostly footsteps and rustle of her gown has been heard in the castle. Numerous people over the years have reportedly seen the spirit and her appearance has often been regarded as a portent of doom, although she is also said to appear when somebody is in trouble and needs help.