Delgatie Castle

Delgatie Castle is an impressive multi-phase tower house which probably dates to the 16th century, although suggestions have been made that remains of an earlier castle may be hidden within the structure. If so, the western half of the tower house has features that may place it at the end of the 15th century. It occupies the top of a slope overlooking the Burn of Delgatie to the east of Turriff.

It is likely that Delgatie was a property of the Comyn earls of Buchan as demesne land of the earldom. As such it was forfeited by Robert Bruce after the Harrying of Buchan in 1308, and it is likely that any buildings of this period were completely destroyed. It was subsequently made part of the Lordship of Philorth, that part of the old Comyn lands which Bruce granted to the earl of Ross, and passed to the Fraser family by marriage towards the end of the 14th century. Subsequently the male line of the Frasers failed, and Delgatie was successfully claimed by the Hays, although the Frasers retained the superiority until about 1502.  The oldest part consists of an L-shaped tower with a central hall and winding stair separating the two wings. The extension to an L-plan may be what is recorded in the 1579 datestone on the eastern tower.

The Hay family were staunch Catholics, which caused them a certain amount of difficulty at the Reformation, and King James VI attacked Delgatie in 1594 with artillery, and their alliance with the equally Catholic earls of Huntly led to the forfeiture of the Hay laird of Delgatie. Subsequent lairds were executed alongside Montrose in 1650, and were Jacobite rebels in both 1715 and 1745, after which the estate remained forfeited. Purchased by the Garden family of Troup, the tower was extended in the latter 18th century, and had to be repurchased by the Hay family later. It remains occupied, but parts of the castle are open to the public.

Official Delgatie Castle website

HES Canmore database entry