Along the river Ythan in Aberdeenshire,
which flows through the area known as Formartine, there lies
Foveran Castle, the village of Newburgh, Knockhall Castle, and
Auchterellon House, all of which were owned by John Udny (1662);
and situated near Barra, Meldrum and Pitmedden, the country houses
of the to the Setons.
The earliest Udny family records appear in
1406 when Ranald de Uldeny received a charter of his lands from
David II, however, the Udnies had held these lands for a
considerable period prior to the charter.
Udny Castle, which still stands occupied to
this day, is the most obvious evidence of the prominence of this
family. The castle, lying about four miles south of Tarves, is a
massive fortalice dominating the surrounding countryside. It is
believed that building was commenced in the first quarter of the
fifteenth century and was completed and embellished over the next
three generations. The costs of building it nearly ruined the
family, with extensions being added in the late sixteenth century
and gables in the early seventeenth century. During the reign of
Mary, Queen of Scots, the Laird of Udny raised his followers in
support of the Queen’s cause; they were equally prominent in their
adherence to Charles I against the forces of the Covenant. In 1634
John Udny of Udny acquired property in the Belhelvie area and went
to live at Knockhall Castle, while Udny Castle was sold, or
leased, to William Seton of the family of Meldrum. Later, the
Castle had been left abandoned, but the Udnies returned 100 years
later, renovating and later extending the old keep.
The descendants of the family still retain
ownership and occupancy of the old Castle that bears their name.
