This castle is a ruin in every sense of the world. Yet despite
its present state, this large site still gives one an impression
of what it must have been like in its heyday. The castle dates
from 1424 when it was originally built by the Frasers of Philorth.
It passed into the hands of Forbes of Druminnor who extended
the place in the 1570's. The last resident of Pitsligo was
Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord Pitsligo. He was a fervent Jacobite
supporter who was forced into hiding when his lands were forfeited
after the battle of Culloden. He did however die still a free
man at the ripe old age of 84. In 1989 the castle was bought
by Alexander Forbes' relative, Malcolm Forbes the American
multi-millionaire publisher, who had renovations executed
to secure the structure of the building prior to his death
in February 1990. The site is unmanned, usually deserted and
entry is free to all.
|
