Huntingtower Castle
Posted by: 
snaik
N 56° 24.565 W 003° 29.272
30V E 469895 N 6251754
Huntingtower was originally built by the Ruthven family in the 15th Century although they had held the lands since the 13th Century. Originally called the House of Ruthven.
Waymark Code: WM9GE
Location: United Kingdom
Date Posted: 03/27/2006
Views: 53
The Ruthvens fought with Robert the Bruce and were made Sheriffs of Perth in 1313.
Mary Queen of Scots visited in 1565 while on honeymoon with Darnley.
There is a legend of the Ruthven daughter, Dorothy, is said to have leapt between the tops of the two towers of the castle, a distance of 9 feet 4 inches, in retreat from her mother as she was almost discovered when visiting her lover in his chamber (doubtless deliberately located by her mother in the other tower).
The mother was reassured to find her daughter in her own bed that night, and her lover alone in his: but was probably less impressed when the couple eloped the next day. To this day the gap between the towers is know as The Maiden's Leap.
James VI, when aged 15, was held there forcibly in 1582. In revenge, James later executed the perpetrators of the plot, proscribed the name Ruthven and seized the castle and lands. Since then the castle has been known as Huntingtower.
The Earl of Tullibardine gained the property in 1663 and it passed to the Duke of Atholl in 1676.
Opening Hours: The castle is open all year as follows.
April to September: 9.30am to 6.30pm every day.
October to March: 9.30am to 4.30pm Saturday to Wednesday (closed all day Thursday and Friday).
Admission: Adult £3.50, Child £1.50; Concession £2.50.
Accessibility: Partial access
Condition: Partly ruined
Admission Charge?: yes
Website: [Web Link]
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