Pitsligo Castle

Pitsligo Castle Details

Pitsligo Castle, impressive ruined C15 tower house and towered courtyard of the Forbeses sacked C18 and recently consolidated

  • Closest To: Rosehearty,Fraserburgh
  • Access: Free Public Access
  • Grid Reference: NJ937669

The ruins of Pitlsligo Castle overlook the sandy bay of Rosehearty in Buchan on the northern coast a few miles west of Fraserburgh. It is publicly accessible, and has been the subject of considerable stabilisation works by a charitable trust in recent years which has been driven by local interest. There is a small car park at the top of the formal entrance to the castle, which was built for the Forbes family, and fell into ruin after being looted in 1745 and sold.

Pitsligo was part of the earldom of Buchan and passed to the Earl of Ross. It passed by marriage through the Fraser family to a junior branch of the Forbeses in the 15th century, who had the rectangular great tower erected. This was extended with the addition of a courtyard, which was itself converted into ranges of buildings in the 17th century. The Forbeses of Pitsligo maintained a low profile, but were attainted for supporting the last Jacobite rebellion. Their estate was sold to the Garden family of Troup, who deroofed the castle and profited from the lands. It is an excellent visit!

HES Canmore database entry

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