The earliest stone structure on this site dates from the 13th century, possibly earlier. The fortification guarded the anchorage below in the bay and controlled the land link between the East and West Lochs. In 1392 it was certainly a Royal Castle, being among those granted to John Balliol by Edward I of England. In 1325 Robert the Bruce enlarged and fortified the Castle ...
Ardverikie House is a Category A Listed building situated on a promontory overlooking Loch Laggan in the Scottish Highlands. It was designed by John Rhind of Inverness in a Scots baronial style, its gabled roofline complete with octagonal turrets with corbelled conical roofs. The tower panel is inscribed "Burnt 1873 Rebuilt 1874 Finished 1878"; it is constructed of local ...
Craigievar Castle is a Category A Listed Tower House dating from the early 17th century. William Forbes bought the partially completed castle in 1625 and completed it in the spirit of the Scots Renaissance. It is known as ‘the pink castle’ and has been described as ... “The consummation of Scottish châteaux: perfect both in mass and detail. The ascent of its creamy, bat ...
Ballindalloch Castle is a Category A Listed castellated mansion known as ‘the Pearl of the North’ located in the heart of Speyside. The development from 16th century fortified Scots tower house to Victorian Scots Baronial country mansion illustrates the dramatic changes in Scotland over this period. The original Z-plan tower dates from 1546 and remains the core of the bu ...
Tullibole Castle is a Category A Listed Tower House dating from the early 17th century. There is a heraldic marriage stone above the front door inscribed with the date 2 April 1608. The architectural development of the building illustrates the transition from Scot’s Tower House to Laird’s house in the 18th century. The castle was previously restored in 1957/9 by Lord Moncr ...
Balnacraig House is a Category B Listed building located in rural Aberdeenshire. It was originally an early laird’s house dating from the 17th century; the central 5-bay farmhouse forms the oldest part of the structure, with later 18th century wings to either side forming a distinctive U-plan open courtyard. Other distinctive features include the rubble base course, chamfe ...
Coxton Tower is a Category A Listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument located near Lhanbryde in Moray. It is a fortified Tower House dating from the early 17th century; an armorial panel above the entrance records the completion date as 1644. The form reflects the defensive function; the ground floor walls are 4½ feet thick and raise 4 storeys, with each storey conta ...
Drum Castle is a Category A Listed building dating from the 13th century. The original Keep or Tower House is one of the oldest in Scotland, complete with 70ft high solid masonry walls and finished with corbelled battlements. The large Jacobean mansion was added in 1619, with further alterations during the Victorian era. The result is an amalgam of architectural styles cul ...
Dunnottar Castle is one of the most dramatic historic sites in Scotland. It was originally an ancient Pictish fortress (5000 BC to 700 AD): "dun" is Pictish for hill fort or place of strength. The site is also believed to be an early Christian site founded by St Ninian in the 5th century. The present castle complex dates from the late 13th century and comprises a number of ...