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A Z-plan castle dating from the late 16th century, with additions which now largely mask the original work but the west and east sides are still exposed. Flanking a blocked-up doorway, the original entrance, in the east re-entrant angle, are wide-mouthed gun-loops and decorative shot holes, similar to Tolquhon and Schivas castles. Said to be built on the site of an earlier castle. It was originally harled but is now exposed pinned rubble. Lands of Arnage belonged to the Cheyne family from end of 14th Century until it was sold in 1643 to John Sibbald of Ellon. Bought in 1702 by Baillie John Ross, a Provost of Aberdeen. Remains in good condition. Standing building survey, carried out by Scotia Archaeology in January 2009, to illustrate and interpret all visible features which may be covered during the renovation work to be undertaken. There was no access to the interior of the castle during the survey. The survey concluded that the original ground plan of the 17th-century Z-plan tower could still be traced within the extensive alterations that have been carried out to gentrify the original house. Most of the gun-loops are still in situ, as is the original door and vacant armorial panel surrounds. The alterations of the late 17th or early 18th century are easy to identify in that the inserted windows from that period all have chamfered sandstone dressings. In contrast, all the new and inserted doors and windows dating to 1860 have granite jambs with a very narrow (80mm) offset margin, which acted as checks where the wet-dash roughcast could be brought to finish.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)