Huntingtower Castle

Overview

Huntingtower Castle, also known as The House of Ruthven, comprises of two well-preserved tower houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries. It is effectively 2 castles in one as the two towers were initially built as separate free-standing buildings divided by a gap that would be just wide enough to get a horse and cart between. The older tower (built-in 1460), is the one on the east and it is of a plainer style of architecture than the slightly younger west tower which takes the form of an L-plan tower. 

The two towers were initially connected by a wooden bridge, but the 3 metre gap was latterly linked by a 3 storey centre section in the late 16th century.

The eastern tower retains an original and unusually painted ceiling that dates from the 1540’s and is one of the oldest remaining examples of such work. A similarly painted ceiling can be found in Aberdour Castle and Crathes Castle.

Huntingtower Castle is just a short detour from the A9 as it bypasses Perth. We recommend stopping here to climb the two spiral staircases that lead up to the rooftops and the (partially missing) inner floor levels. This is a castle that doesn’t disappoint.

Huntingtower Castle also has interesting legends about witchcraft and a daring leap across the gap between the rooftops of the east and west towers, but we will let you discover the details at the castle itself! Naturally, the castle has a resident ghost that takes the form of a "Green Lady" (you may notice that there are lots "Green Lady" ghosts). She seems to be a friendly ghost who has come to the aid of people and the last reported sighting was in the 1970's.

Save money on visiting this attraction by buying an Explorer Pass