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Remains of castle. It is an unusual combination of L and Z-plan with a round stair tower attached to middle of south face of L-block and another round tower on the northwest corner. Built in 1581 for William Forbes whose initials and date are on lintel of entrance doorway. Walls are pierced with gun-loops and shot-holes. Interior wholly gutted and little of layout can be traced. One unusual feature is that the vaulted cellars were constructed only under part of the house, owing to the falling away of ground level. The great kitchen fireplace can be traced in the north gable of the main block. A remarkable survival of the compact 16th century, Scottish Z-plan castle. These relatively small scale castles, particularly well represented in Aberdeenshire, were the fortified homes of the minor aristocracy, regionally powerful landowner and successful merchant. As such they differ in function and design from the larger castles of the royal and political class, the need being both for family comfort and security. Hence the single small entrance to the castle and absence of windows on the ground floor but provision of large, elegant windows to the first floor where the main hall was located. Plans for restoration made 6/3/85.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)