Baron of Abergeldie

The Baron of Abergeldie is a Scottish noble title in the Baronage of Scotland, historically associated with Abergeldie Castle and the surrounding estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. The barony has been held by the Gordon family since its creation in 1482, making it one of the oldest family-held estates in Scotland.^[2][3][4][5]

Baron of Abergeldie dynastic title same family for 21 generations
[1]
Creation date	1482[citation needed]
Creation	Baronage of Scotland
Created by	James III of Scotland
First holder	Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar
Present holder	John Seton Howard Gordon, 21st Baron of Abergeldie
Status	extant
Seat(s)	Abergeldie Castle (sold)

History

The title of Baron of Abergeldie was first created in 1482 when Sir Alexander Gordon of Midmar, the son of the 1st Earl of Huntly, acquired the lands. He built Abergeldie Castle, which served as the seat of the barony for more than 500 years.^[6]

The most recent Baron of Abergeldie, John Seton Howard Gordon, the 21st Baron, inherited the estate in 1963 and retained ownership until the estate and castle were sold in 2021 for approximately £23 million. This sale marked the end of the Gordon family's direct ownership of the castle, but Gordon retains the title of Baron of Abergeldie.^[7][8][9]

In January 2016, the castle was threatened by rising flood waters from the River Dee, which washed away much of the land behind the building, leaving it on a precipice over the river, thus forcing the then 76-year-old Baron to flee. For a time, authorities were uncertain if the castle could be saved if the flooding continued. A few days later, structural engineers were confident that shoring efforts would prevent imminent collapse.^[10][11]

Abergeldie Castle

Abergeldie Castle

Abergeldie Castle is a Category A listed building that remains a significant historical site. The castle, a turreted square block tower house, was built around 1550. It has undergone various modifications over the centuries, including the addition of an ogee-roofed belfry in the 19th century.^[12]

Modern Holder

The most recent titleholder, John Seton Howard Gordon, the 21st Baron of Abergeldie, sold Abergeldie Castle and the estate in 2021, but he retains the title of Baron of Abergeldie. The sale included around 4,703 hectares of land near the Royal Lochnagar Distillery and stretches of farmland, woodland, and wilderness.^[13]

Notable Barons

• Sir Alexander Gordon, 1st Baron (1482)
• John Seton Howard Gordon, 21st Baron (1963–present) was 21st Laird up to (2021) ^[14]