Boddam Castle 

Boddam Castle was our first stop today. We first found the RAF station next to Boddam, then driving through a small housing development, we saw the ruins of the castle, sitting alone in a field surrounded by flowers and heather, and facing the North Sea to the east.  A isolated yet compelling remnant of Keith history.

Photo 1: On arriving at Boddam, another car pulls along side ours containing Lord and Lady Kintore. Lord Kintore and Alice Hattenbrun extend greetings.

Photo 2: Lady Mary and Alice Hattenbrun

Photo 3: Lord & Lady Kintore and Alice Hattenbrun

Photo 4: David Hattenbrun (with All-American cap) & the Lt. to the Chief

Photo 5: Boddam as seen from the entry to the field

Photo 6: Boddam across the sea channel to the left

Photo 7: Flower and Bug (Anybody know just what KIND of bug?)

Photo 8: Steve Oge and Alice Hattenbrun next to the Gatehouse

Photo 9: David Hattenbrun and the Boddam Castle Gatehouse

Boddam Castle Information

Just south of Boddam, three miles south of Peterhead. (NO133418) Very little now remains of the 16^th century courtyard castle built, using pink granite, by the Keiths of Ludquharn. The most substantial part is the gatehouse with one wall standing to first floor level. The approach was between two walls, at the western end of the north wall there are the remains of a circular tower. All other buildings, which apparently included a chapel, have been reduced to their foundations but it is possible to trace a series of vaults on the north side of the gate, and there is a seagate directly opposite. Boddam Castle is not open to the public, but it is openly accessible, at your own risk.

From: Calendonian Castles 

The remains of the 15-16th century Boddam Castle consist of the entrance archway, surmounted by a low gable, and one or two smaller arches as well as the complete foundation. What may have been the hinges of a drawbridge were found when a trench was cut in front of the entrance in 1868. This was a seat of the Keiths of Ludquharn.

Boddam Castle comprises the remains of a curtain wall, c.33.0m square, with the entrance in the W consisting of the W gable of a building with a round arched doorway and square window above. Three gun-loops are visible. The footings of a range of buildings remain within the enclosure against the N and S walls.

This story, found on the Aberdeen Tollbooth Museum webpage relates an incident involving Boddam Castle: In 1638 Alexander Keith of Balmoor was imprisoned for debts amounting to 18,000 Merks. On the 23rd of July, although strictly against regulations, Keith was permitted by the Keeper of the Wardhouse to meet privately with his sister and other female relatives. Keith hid in a trunk, which was carried by two male conspirators down the narrow stairs, through the town centre and loaded onboard a waiting boat moored at the pier. Before the authorities were able to do anything Keith had been taken to the family castle in Boddam near Peterhead.

Boddam was also the birth place of the last royal Governor of Pennsylvania, Sir William Keith.