CASTLE DUFFUS. 
'TWIS was Ae principal feat and fortrefs of the ancient family of the Moravi- 
-L ences; who long maintained chief rank and dignity in the rich province of 
Me, 'ay — The caftle is built in a fuitable'ftyle of ftrength for defence and fecurity; 
as it was probably intended for a place des armes, and to contain a force that 
fhoukl overawe the Norwegian Buccaneers, who had a fixed refidence in the fort 
of Burghead* , not many miles diftant, and from thence often made depredations 
on the treafures of cattle and of grain, in which Moray abounded. 
Frijkinus de Moravia , a man of eminence and power, and of diftinguifhed ta- 
lents, was Earl of Duffus in the reign of David I. His fon obtained a charter 
from King William, anno 1 169, confirming his title to all the neighbouring lands 
pofidled by his father Frijkinus. 
This family failing in heirs male, became divided and extindt, and the honours 
ay dormant for feveral centuries. But, anno 1650, the proprietor of thefe lands 
tad a peerage conferred on him, with the title of Lord Duffus , by King Charles ’II. 
The title was forfeited, anno 1715, and is not now revived. 
The fituation and ftyle of the. building, point it out to have been the work of a 
very eaily age 5 there are traditionary accounts of its having been occafionally a 
reader! ce of King Duffus , but whether thefe narrations are authentic, or have arifen 
rorn an accidental coincidence of names, it is not eafy now to determine with cer- 
tainty. 
r ne caftle is oeautifully fituated, on a circular mount on the banks of the loch 
01 S P inie - This rifing ground, with the caftle on its fummit, furrounded with ve- 
nerable trees, forms a pi&urefque objeft in a level couhtry. 
Tue mount is encircled with a ditch and rampart, which are ftill of formidable 
appearance ; the trench, which is very broad, and cut round to a level, is ftill full 
of water, and impaftable but at the proper mound oppofire to the gateway. 
Within the walls, on the declivity of the mount, next the loch of Spinie, are 
lo. ne : excellent garden grounds well laid out, the fruit-trees ftill in vigour, and 
i. a . r m 8 a Pples, pears, gooieberries, &c. From thence there is a pleafing profpect 
luxuriant fields all along the fertile banks of the loch; and on the oppo- 
See Antiquities and Scenery of Scotland, page c3 and 128, 
B 2 
/J 
fite 
