Clan Rising
Ashintully Castle today

Scotland · Still standing

Ashintully Castle

Ashintully Castle stands near Kirkmichael, north of Blairgowrie in Perthshire, Scotland. Originally built as a fortified tower house in 1583 for the Spalding family, the site was occupied in the mid-19th century and is reached from the B950 road to the northeast.

Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1850

Today

Still standing

As it stood in 1850

What Ashintully Castle looked like in its prime.

As seen at its prime around 1850: a long, three‑storey rectangular stone range with a low‑pitched slate roof, evenly spaced tall sash windows on each floor and a central doorway; a taller, older rectangular tower projects from the left end rising one storey above the main block with smaller vertical windows and a large chimney. Walls are rough grey rubble stone partly covered by climbing vegetation. The house sits on a mown lawn with mature trees close to the building.

Its story

The story of Ashintully Castle.

Ashintully Castle, an anglicised spelling of the Gaelic Eas an Tulaich, "cascade of the hillock", was built in 1583 as a fortified tower house by the Spalding family, Feudal Barons of Ashintully and chiefs of Clan Spalding, near Kirkmichael north of Blairgowrie in Perthshire. The Spaldings were followers of the Duke of Atholl, and with their cadet branches were Jacobites, adherents of the House of Stuart.

In 1597 the Earl of Atholl and his followers attacked Andrew Spalding at Ashintully, "bringing great guns, hagbuts, and pistols and raising fire at the house". In the mid-19th century the castle was occupied by R. J. R. Ayton; it still stands, reached from the B950 road to the northeast of Kirkmichael.

Step inside

5 places to explore in 1850.

The record describes 5 distinct spots at Ashintully Castle, including the full exterior approach. Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Approach from the B950 (northeast)Front façade, central doorway and windowsLeft tower exteriorLawn and surrounding treesRoofline and chimneys

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Whose castle

Clans who held Ashintully Castle.

The families that held Ashintully Castle for a decade or more across its history, follow a name to its clan.

  • Spalding

    Built in 1583 by the Spaldings, Feudal Barons of Ashintully and chiefs of Clan Spalding.

Nearby

Landmarks within reach of Ashintully Castle.

Questions about Ashintully Castle

What is the history of Ashintully Castle?

Ashintully Castle was built in the sixteenth century as a fortified tower house for the Spalding family. In 1597, the Earl of Atholl and his followers attacked Andrew Spalding there with great guns, hagbuts and pistols, raising fire at the house. It was occupied by R. J. R. Ayton in the mid-nineteenth century.

Why was Ashintully Castle built, and what was it used for?

Ashintully Castle was built as a fortified tower house, providing a defensible residence for the Spalding family. The Spaldings were Feudal Barons of Ashintully and chiefs of Clan Spalding. It was later occupied as a residence, including by R. J. R. Ayton in the mid-nineteenth century.

Where is Ashintully Castle?

Ashintully Castle stands near Kirkmichael, north of Blairgowrie, in Perthshire. It is in the Perth and Kinross administrative area and is reached from the B950 road to the northeast of Kirkmichael.

When was Ashintully Castle built?

Ashintully Castle was built in 1583, in the sixteenth century. It was raised as a fortified tower house by the Spalding family, Feudal Barons of Ashintully and chiefs of Clan Spalding.

Was Ashintully Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Ashintully Castle was attacked in 1597 by the Earl of Atholl and his followers. They brought great guns, hagbuts and pistols and raised fire at the house while attacking Andrew Spalding. The supplied account does not state whether the castle held or fell.

Which family or clan held Ashintully Castle?

Ashintully Castle was held by the Spalding family, who built it in 1583. The Spaldings were Feudal Barons of Ashintully and chiefs of Clan Spalding.

What did Ashintully Castle look like in its prime?

Ashintully Castle appeared as a long, three-storey rectangular stone range with a low-pitched slate roof, tall sash windows and a central doorway. An older rectangular tower projected from the left end, rising one storey higher, with smaller windows and a large chimney. Rough grey rubble stone was partly covered by climbing vegetation.

Is Ashintully Castle still standing, or is it a ruin?

Ashintully Castle is still standing and is described as intact. Its main form is a long stone range with a taller older tower projecting from the left end, and the building sits on a mown lawn with mature trees nearby.
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