Clan Rising
Moniack Castle today

Scotland · Still standing

Moniack Castle

Moniack Castle is a 16th‑century L‑plan tower house near Beauly, Highland, Scotland, built in 1580 by members of Clan Fraser. The building was altered in the 19th century (a crenellated parapet added in 1804 and extensions in the 1830s) and is protected as a category B listed building. It remains in private ownership by the Moniack branch of the Frasers.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1835

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1835

What Moniack Castle looked like in its prime.

L‑plan, pale harled (light roughcast) stone tower house with a prominent square tower rising above a lower two‑storey main block and single‑storey linking wings; the tower is finished with a crenellated parapet added in 1804. Slate pitched roofs cover the wings, with tall rectangular sash windows set in simple surrounds. The castle sits directly on a mown lawn with mature trees close to the façade and a small informal forecourt where the drive meets the main entrance.

Its story

The story of Moniack Castle.

Moniack Castle was built in 1580 by members of Clan Fraser, seven miles west of Inverness and just south of Beauly. The branch seated here became known as the Moniack Frasers, the largest offshoot of the clan. The 16th-century L-plan tower house gained a crenellated parapet in 1804 and extensions in the 1830s, and is protected as a category B listed building.

The castle has never left the family. In 1926 Alastair Fraser was given it by his elder brother, Simon Fraser, 14th Lord Lovat, and it is occupied today by Rory Fraser and his family.

Step inside

6 places to explore in 1835.

The record describes 6 distinct spots at Moniack Castle, including 1 interior: roman catholic chapel (interior). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the front lawn / forecourtSquare tower exterior and crenellated parapetEntrance and small forecourt1830s extension façade and rooflineRoman Catholic chapel (interior)Balblair Stone in the castle grounds

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Whose castle

Clans who held Moniack Castle.

The families that held Moniack Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Fraser

    Built by members of Clan Fraser in 1580; seat of the Moniack Frasers, who hold the castle to this day.

Questions about Moniack Castle

What is the history of Moniack Castle?

Moniack Castle was built in the 16th century, in 1580, by members of Clan Fraser. The L-plan tower house gained a crenellated parapet in 1804 and extensions in the 1830s. In 1926, Alastair Fraser received the castle from his elder brother, Simon Fraser, 14th Lord Lovat, and it remains with the family.

What is inside Moniack Castle?

Moniack Castle contains a Roman Catholic chapel. This is the specifically documented interior space. The castle is an L-plan tower house whose other supplied descriptions concern its exterior form and later additions.

Who owns Moniack Castle now?

Moniack Castle is privately owned by the Moniack branch of the Frasers. The castle has never left the family, and the branch seated there is known as the Moniack Frasers. It is protected as a category B listed building, a heritage designation rather than an ownership status.

Does anyone live in Moniack Castle now?

Yes, people live at Moniack Castle today: Rory Fraser and his family occupy it. The castle remains in private family ownership, having been given to Alastair Fraser by his elder brother, Simon Fraser, 14th Lord Lovat, in 1926.

Where is Moniack Castle?

Moniack Castle is near Beauly, seven miles west of Inverness, in Highland. It stands just south of Beauly, in the Highland region. The castle is therefore close to both the town of Beauly and the city of Inverness.

When was Moniack Castle built?

Moniack Castle was built in 1580, during the 16th century. It began as an L-plan tower house built by members of Clan Fraser. The crenellated parapet and later extensions were added in 1804 and the 1830s respectively, so the present building reflects several phases.

Which family or clan held Moniack Castle?

The Moniack Frasers held Moniack Castle. They are the Moniack branch of Clan Fraser, descended from the family branch seated there, and they hold the castle to this day.

What did Moniack Castle look like in its prime?

Moniack Castle is a pale harled L-plan tower house, with a prominent square tower rising above a lower two-storey main block and single-storey linking wings. Its tower has a crenellated parapet added in 1804, while the wings have slate pitched roofs and tall rectangular sash windows. It stands on a mown lawn beside mature trees.

Is Moniack Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Moniack Castle is intact and still standing, rather than a ruin. Its original 16th-century L-plan tower house survives, with a crenellated parapet added in 1804 and extensions built in the 1830s. The building is protected as a category B listed building.

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