Edzell Castle

Edzell Castle is a well-preserved tower and courtyard complex built by the Lindsay family in the 15th and 16th centuries. It contains a beautiful walled garden which has been restored, and is managed by historic Environment Scotland. Not part of the mainstream of castles visited by the public, it is very much overlooked and should have a much higher profile in my opinion.

The Abbot family were probably responsible for the old motte to the south-west (not signed) and it was the Lindsays after the Wars of Independence who acquired Edzell by marriage. The tower is supposed to have been built in the early 16th century, and the courtyard ranges came afterwards, although like many properties, these were never completed to the original plan. A slow financial decline was probably the cause, and in 1715 the estate was sold. the castle was used as a garrison, and in 1764 the buildings were stripped of everything of value and abandoned.

Official Historic Scotland page

HES Canmore database entry – old castle
HES Canmore database entry – new castle