Huntly Castle in Scotland, built by the Gordons of Huntly and Aboyne, descended from George, eldest son of the first Earl of Huntly (+1470). The Gordons of Spain are descended from the Gordons of Beldorney, Ward & Kildrummy, descendants of Adam, third son of the first Earl of Huntly so we have to go back to the 15th century to find a common ancestor. This can be seen more clearly in the genealogical tree I am working on.


Map of Scotland showing the different locations.

    A 16th Century Z-shaped castle, Beldorney Castle is located west of the River Deveron, between the settlements of Dumbeath and Backside, 6 miles (10 km) east of Dufftown in Aberdeenshire. The castle was modernised in the 19th and 20th centuries.
    There are two main branches of Gordons in Spain: Those descended from James Arthur Gordon (1759-1823), of which I am one, and those descended from his nephew John David Gordon (1774-1850). This last is the branch of the lairds of Wardhouse and Kildrummy. Actually, the last laird of Wardhouse, Rafael Gordon Aristegui, was a descendant of both branches as his father was the grandson of John David Gordon and his mother, Rosa Aristegui, was the great-grand-daughter of his uncle James Arthur Gordon. This can be seen more clearly in the genealogical tree I am working on.
    Rafael Gordon Aristegui is buried in Wall-a-Kirk cemetery which is located very near Beldorney Castle. Below are some photos of the cemetery and of his grave.

The photos in this page were kindly sent to me by Mrs. Kate Wilson of Queensland, Australia.