Auchindoun Castle in Moray
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Auchindoun Castle looking very picturesque in the snow.
This shot was taken from the Cabrach to Dufftown road by Alan Fraser who comes from Lhanbryde.
In 1689, during the first Jacobite rising, the castle was used as a temporary headquarters by John Graham, 1st Viscount Dundee and his Jacobite army.
However, the castle has been derelict since at least 1725.
Stones taken from it have been used in local farm buildings and nearby Balvenie Castle.
However, the castle is probably best known as the subject of the folk song 'The Burning of Auchindoun'.
James Stewart, the Earl of Moray, was murdered in 1591 by his rival George Gordon, the Earl of Huntly, as the culmination of a vendetta.
In retaliation, the Earl of Moray's allies, Clan MacKintosh, destroyed the original castle which belonged to Huntly.
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The Burning of Auchindoun
As A cam in by Fiddichside, on a May mornin
A spied Willie MacIntosh an oor before the dawnin
Tarn again, tarn again, tarn again, A'se bid ye
If ye barn Auchindoun, Huntly he will heid ye
Heid me or hang me, that shall never fear me
A'll burn Auchindoun tho' the life leave me
As A cam in bi Fiddichside on a May mornin
Auchindoun was in a bleeze, an hour before the dawning
Crawing, crawing, for a' your crouse crawin'
Ye burnt yer crop an tint your wings an oor before the dawnin
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