Gordonstoun Manor
Located in Morayshire, north-
west of Elgin, near Duffus, it is
now the Gordonstoun School.
Bought by the Gordons in 1616,
it was the home of Sir Robert
Gordon of Gordonstoun,
known as the Wizard of
Gordonstoun. A student of
alchemy, Sir Robert is said to
have made a pact with the devil.
He built the Round Square
(courtyard) at Gordonstoun
supposedly to confuse the devil
and avoid having his soul taken at his death. According to legend, however, Sir
Robert lost faith in this plan and, when the appointed hour arrived, he made his way
to Birnie Kirk instead - pursued by a dark, mysterious horseman and hounds, with
fatal consequences!
Recently a foul smell at the school was the cause for the discovery of Sir Robert’s
long lost dungeon found beneath a hidden trap door. The dungeon was 14 feet
deep and only 2 feet wide and there was water in the bottom of the pit. Sir Robert
was known to have imprisoned estate workers and locals with whom he was
displeased. Gordonstoun School may have been the model for J.K. Rowling’s
Hogwarts!
Above left: Sir Robert Gordon, the "real wizard"
Above right: "The Wizard of Gordonstoun" by Eric Meissner,
