Boyne Castle – Scotland and its castle ruins

At first mention, Boyne Castle sounds like just another Scottish castle. Unless one knows this castle. It is regarded as a highly impressive work of architecture. However, the castle has a minor flaw. Up to the 18th century, this Scottish castle had been cherished. But then, it began to decay. The maintenance of the building has been greatly neglected. Therefore, the once beautiful and magnificent castle is now in ruins. But even this crumbling ruin shows how glorious the castle must have once been. Do ghosts reside here? Some legends say that the castle has fallen into ruin rather quickly since the 18th Century. Comparable structures have required a significantly longer time to fall into the same degree of ruin. Perhaps magic or a curse has something to do with this?



In Scotland, there are many myths and legends that, although largely fictional, still hold some degree of truth. To this day, it still hasn't been established whether the Loch Ness Monster really existed or exists. Loch Ness is probably one of the main attractions of Scotland because it is shrouded with many tales and stories of the monster.



Those who would like to visit Boyne Castle should wear sturdy shoes because this ruin with a touch of magic is hidden within a forest of trees. It can be assumed that there was once a magnificent park with an adjacent forest. Today, only small, grass-covered glades as well as a forest with various types of trees remain. Here and there, bits of green protrude from the ruins, and some places are covered with moss. This calm and picturesque silhouette shows visitors how exciting the life in the castle must have been. Today's ruin and former castle were once considered an architectural masterpiece. That which remains also gives an idea of how Boyne Castle was built. As the castle only lies five kilometres from the city of Banff, there would have been a small road leading there.



The round towers, as well as the walls, can also be recognized. Altogether, the entire building stands, and it can also be entered. A round arch leads into the interior of the once grandiose building. No inner walls remain, and guests are greeted by a carpet of grass.



The roof of the castle also no longer exists, but you can recognise where windows and doors once were as well as the rear entrance. Today, the ruins give the impression of a layout that was never brought to completion. Compared to other ruins, these are still accessible and still show their full size today.



Boyne Castle was built at the end of the 13th Century by the Lords of Boyen. Why nobody cared for the preservation of the castle after the 18th century is not completely known. However, upon observation, it appears that many happy centuries had been spent in the castle until it had been left peacefully. While it almost appears as though the castle quickly decayed, the rest of the buildings refuse to do so.

 

Photos: Jim Simpson