Tolquhon Castle
Tolquhon Castle Details
Tolquhoun Castle, a ruined C15 tower and later courtyard castle of the Prestons and Forbeses, abandoned C18.
- Closest To: Oldmeldrum, Ellon
- Access: Chargeable Public Access
- Grid Reference: NJ873286
Tolquhon Castle is an impressive ruined tower house, courtyard and palace dating back to the early 15th century on top of a hill in rural Aberdeenshire. It served as the seat of the thanage lands of Formartine, and the earliest parts were built for the Preston family, then much extended for the Forbeses. It is managed by Historic Environment Scotland, and is both easy to access and a very rewarding visit.
The Preston Tower is a rectangular tower house erected soon after the thanage lands were granted in barony to Sir Thomas Preston in 1390. When he died in 1433 it was his daughter and son-in-law who inherited the barony and castle, which was presumably provided with a courtyard of other buildings. However it was only in 1584 that a later Forbes radically redesigned and extended the castle in magnificent style. Unfortunately in the latter 17th century the family fortune vanished and the estate and castle were sold to the Earl of Aberdeen. Maintenance proved beyond the farmers who then lived there, and by 1840 much was in ruins.
Official Historic Scotland page
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