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Remains of a castle first documented in 1273. This castle was the principal messuage of an extensive barony and probably also of the earldom of Buchan. Until 1307, it appears to have been the most important of all the castles held by the Comyns in the north-east of Scotland. It was probably dismantled by Bruce in 14th century. The date of the present ruins is uncertain. Though the nucleus probably dates from the 13th century, it has been suggested that parts might date from the early 16th century, when Lord Forbes was granted a license to erect a castle here. It is perhaps more likely that this late medieval structure, if it was actually built, lay within the outer court of the earlier castle. The name is believed to be a corruption of Kinedar. The present ruins consist of the outline of a rectangular courtyard in centre. Three chambers flanked either side of the courtyard and at the east end, opposite the gate, the two sides were closed by a chamber of quite large proportions. The ditch on the north-west is likely to have been a natural gully across the neck of a peninsula, which would have been spanned by a drawbridge. One stone said to be from the castle, was seen inserted in the steading wall at Castleton, and others are now hidden by building extensions.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)