Hatton Castle

Hatton Castle is a five-story structure in Turriff with round towers at each corner and a central Gothic doorway featuring decorated columns. The estate spreads across the landscape with several outbuildings, including cottages and historical structures such as a coach house and a mausoleum.

The original house, known as Place of Balquholly, was acquired and developed starting in 1709 by Alexander Duff. The current name was adopted in 1815, and later Victorian additions including a mausoleum designed in 1861 were incorporated into the property.

The castle's name reflects its transformation from a simple dwelling into a symbol of prosperity and ambition over time. Visitors can observe how each era left its mark through architectural details, from the original stone work to the added Gothic features.

The grounds are expansive and can be explored over half a day or a full day depending on how much time you spend on the various buildings and gardens. Visitors should wear weather-appropriate clothing since the open landscape is exposed to the elements and paths can become muddy.

The woodland on the estate hosts a large rook colony that has grown and shrunk over the generations. These birds have become so characteristic of the place that they form part of the local identity of the property.