The Rise of the Gordons
From Border Lords to Highland Powerhouses
The name Gordon has echoed through Scottish history for centuries, synonymous with power, politics, and pride. But the story of how this family rose from modest Border lords in Berwickshire to the undisputed rulers of the Highlands’ northeast is as compelling as any epic.
Their ascent wasn’t a simple matter of wealth or warfare—it was a masterclass in strategic marriages, political maneuvering, and territorial expansion. By the time the 16th century rolled around, the Gordons weren’t just another noble family—they were a dynasty.
And at the heart of their rise lies a tale that winds through places like Gordon, Strathbogie, Aboyne, and Loch Kinnord—each playing a vital role in turning a family into a force of nature.
Marriages, Charters, and a New Power Base
The turning point in Gordon fortunes came with Alexander Seton, who married Elizabeth Gordon, heiress of the Gordon lands in Berwickshire, in the late 14th century. Their son took the name Alexander Gordon, and from him the House of Gordon sprang fully formed, with ambitions far greater than their Border roots.
But it was Alexander Gordon, 1st Earl of Huntly, in the 15th century who set the real foundation for power in the north. His second marriage to Elizabeth Crichton came with a royal charter ensuring that the lands and titles he acquired would pass not back to her family, but to their heirs—and ultimately to the Gordons alone.
This strategic legal move preserved the Deeside holdings, including Cluny, Tullich, Glenmuick, and Aboyne, and notably, Loch Kinnord, locking them into the growing Gordon empire. In 1448, the Earl moved the family seat from the south to Strathbogie in Aberdeenshire, staking their future in the Highlands.
Castles, Campaigns, and Consolidation
Now ensconced in the north, the Gordons began to restore and fortify the lands they had acquired—many of which had suffered under absentee ownership. Places like Aboyne Castle and the fort at Loch Kinnord were rebuilt not just for defense, but for pleasure and prestige.
Loch Kinnord in particular became a favorite of the Earls. Used as a hunting seat, it also served political functions—hosting vassals for charters and oaths, and even receiving royal guests, like King James IV, who stayed there in 1504 during his famed pilgrimage to Tain.
The family was not just securing land—they were embedding themselves into the fabric of Highland life. They took oaths from powerful clan leaders like Lauchlan Mackintosh, and strategically placed loyal followers throughout the region. Their castles weren’t just homes—they were symbols of a growing northern dominion.
And when threats arose, like the shifting sands of the Reformation or rival families gaining power, the Gordons stood firm—sometimes even defiant.
From Earls to Marquises: The Apex of Influence
The 16th century saw the Gordons reach dizzying heights of power. George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly, tried to carve out a semi-independent Highland principality, restoring castles like Loch Kinnord and building a military force that could rival the crown. His plans came to a brutal end at the Battle of Corrichie in 1562, but his ambition showed how far the family had come.
His son—George, 5th Earl—weathered years of political exile and suspicion, only to be reinstated and elevated to Marquess of Huntly in 1599. From the once-remote Borders, the Gordons now held sway over huge swaths of the Highlands, wielding influence as landowners, clan chiefs, and national power brokers.
They built Dee Castle (formerly Kandychyle) as a symbol of this new era—less fortress, more civilized estate—and led by example in shifting the Highlands from a land of war to one of governance and estate management. The Gordons pioneered tree planting and infrastructure improvements, modernizing their holdings before it was fashionable.
Legacy in the Land
Today, the Gordon name is etched into the geography and lore of the northeast—Huntly, Aboyne, Ballater, and of course, the ruins at Loch Kinnord, still whispering tales of their rule.
Their rise wasn’t just a story of ambition. It was about adaptability—from knights of the Borders to lairds of the Highlands, from feudal enforcers to modern estate builders. Their castles housed royals and poets. Their chapels sheltered both war prayers and wedding vows. And their name became part of Scotland’s enduring identity.
The Gordons didn’t just climb the ladder of power. They built a staircase out of castles, contracts, and calculated moves—and climbed it proudly into history.
Adapted From: Michie, J. G. (1877). History of Loch Kinnord. Edinburgh: David Douglas
