Clan Rising
Pitsligo Castle today

Scotland · Ruin

Pitsligo Castle

Pitsligo Castle is a ruined Scottish castle half a mile east of Rosehearty in Aberdeenshire. The remains include an outer court wall with an arched gateway, a large flanking drum tower at the north‑east angle, a surviving stair tower, and the footprint of the main keep. It is a scheduled monument with visible armorial plaques and nearby walled garden and enclosures.

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Photograph via Wikimedia Commons

Its prime

1665

Today

Ruin

As it stood in 1665

What Pitsligo Castle looked like in its prime.

Low, irregular coursed-rubble curtain walls punctuated by a central arched gateway, with small rectangular and arrow-slit openings and scattered armorial plaques. To the north-east a tall, nearly square drum tower of thick masonry rises above the curtain, its top turf-covered; a stair tower stands at the north-east corner. The main keep is largely reduced so the profile is broken and stepped. Forecourt lawn and a straight gravel approach path lead to the gateway; stone is grey with some reddish dressings around openings.

Its story

The story of Pitsligo Castle.

Pitsligo Castle stands ruined half a mile east of Rosehearty, one of the nine castles W. Douglas Simpson called the castles of the Knuckle, after the rocky headland of North-East Aberdeenshire. It was modified in the 1570s by the Forbes of Druminnor, and at the north-east angle of the courtyard the Frasers of Philorth built a tall flanking drum tower with walls nine feet thick.

The remains take in an outer court wall with an arched gateway, a surviving stair tower and the footprint of the main keep, with armorial plaques still visible and a walled garden and enclosures nearby. Historic Environment Scotland protects the site as a scheduled monument.

Step inside

9 places to explore in 1665.

The record describes 9 distinct spots at Pitsligo Castle, including 2 interiors: courtyard doorway with royal arms, vaulted interior of the main keep (ground storey). Create your own photoreal reconstruction and explore every one, more scenes means more rooms, more angles, and more of the place to stand in.

Exterior approach along gravel path to outer gatewayArched gateway in west wall (outer court)Courtyard doorway with Royal ArmsNorth‑east flanking drum tower (exterior)Stair tower at north‑east cornerVaulted interior of the main keep (ground storey)Armorial plaques dotted on curtain and courtyard wallsWalled garden to the northWalled enclosure to the west

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Whose castle

Clans who held Pitsligo Castle.

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

  • Forbes

    Held by the Forbes of Druminnor, who modified the castle in the 1570s.

  • Fraser

    The Frasers of Philorth built the great flanking drum tower at the north-east angle of the courtyard.

Questions about Pitsligo Castle

What is the history of Pitsligo Castle?

Pitsligo Castle’s history begins as a keep dating to the 15th century, followed by modifications in the 1570s by the Forbes of Druminnor. The Frasers of Philorth later built the tall flanking drum tower at the north-east angle. Flemish troops under William Lascelles looted and destroyed the castle in 1845, after which its roof was removed.

What is inside Pitsligo Castle?

Inside Pitsligo Castle, the main keep retains a vaulted ground-storey interior, while the courtyard doorway has the Royal Arms dated 1577 and 1603. The main tower originally had three vaulted storeys, but almost all above the lowest has disappeared. A better-preserved stair tower survives at the north-east corner.

Where is Pitsligo Castle?

Pitsligo Castle is half a mile east of Rosehearty in Aberdeenshire. It stands in the rocky headland of North-East Aberdeenshire known as the Knuckle. The surrounding remains include a walled garden to the north and a walled enclosure to the west.

When was Pitsligo Castle built?

Pitsligo Castle was first raised in the 15th century. The surviving English-language account dates its origins to 1424, while the site record does not give a first-raised year. Later phases include modifications in the 1570s, a courtyard date of 1663, and a Pitsligo Arms plaque dated 1665.

Was Pitsligo Castle ever attacked or besieged?

Pitsligo Castle was attacked and destroyed in 1845. Flemish troops under William Lascelles looted the castle, and its roof was removed afterwards by the Gardens of Troup. The supplied account does not describe a formal siege or say that the castle held before falling.

Which family or clan held Pitsligo Castle?

Pitsligo Castle was held by the Forbes of Druminnor, who modified it in the 1570s. The Frasers of Philorth also played a major role in its development by building the great flanking drum tower at the north-east angle of the courtyard. These are the recorded family associations for the castle.

What did Pitsligo Castle look like in its prime?

Pitsligo Castle had low, irregular coursed-rubble curtain walls with a central arched gateway and small rectangular and arrow-slit openings. A tall, nearly square drum tower with thick masonry rose at the north-east angle, while a stair tower stood nearby. The main keep created a broken, stepped profile, with grey stone and some reddish dressings.

Is Pitsligo Castle still standing or is it a ruin?

Pitsligo Castle is now a ruin. The surviving remains include the outer court wall and arched gateway, the north-east flanking drum tower, a stair tower, armorial plaques and the footprint of the main keep. The main tower’s upper vaulted storeys have disappeared, while the site has been consolidated by Douglas Forrest architects.

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