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The start of the Gordon legacy – Kings of Scots, James III, grants Abergeldie Estate to the Gordon Family, starting one of the longest unbroken records of estate ownership.
Abergeldie Castle – the formal home of Baron of Abergeldie – is built on the estate grounds.
The castle is the subject of a siege during the first Jacobite Rising – and is garrisoned by government troops during a subsequent Rising in 1715.
Abergeldie Castle is occupied by government troops.
Abergeldie Castle is occupied by Spanish troops during the 1719 Rising.
Lord Byron visits the Estate.
“I recollect some years ago
passing near Abergeldie on
an excursion through the
Highlands; it was at that
time a most lovely place”.
During the 18th Century, Abergeldie tenants ran illicit stills. Following an Act of Parliament, the Gordons could no longer allow this resulting in Charles Gordon and a tenant, James Robertson, establishing Lochnagar - now Royal Lochnagar Distillery.
Over the period from 1841 to 1936, members of the Royal Family frequently stay at Abergeldie including King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, King George V and Queen Mary, Princesses Alice and Beatrice and the Empress Eugenie of France (wife of Napoleon III).
Once part of the estate,
Birkhall is bought from the
Gordons by Prince Albert
and is now the home of
Prince Charles.
Queen Victoria’s consort Prince Albert buys the lease on the Abergeldie estate for an initial 40 years and its lease of the land continues until 1970.
The 21st Laird, John Howard Seton Gordon, Baron of Abergeldie, assumes occupancy.
The Royal Family continues to lease sporting rights on Abergeldie which is still owned by the Gordon family.
