Earnside Castle

Earnside Castle was a 15th-century fortress in Moray, Scotland, about six miles north-east of Forres. It stood north of Alves Wood, close to the edge of the old county of Moray. The Cumyns of Altyr built the castle around 1450 on a low rise above the surrounding farmland. No stone walls remain today, but the outline of the castle is still visible from the air. A large oblong cropmark shows the main enclosure, with smaller oblongs inside it that may mark buildings or yards.

The castle’s builders chose a site that gave clear views over the Laich of Moray to the south and west. The land slopes gently away from the castle, making it easy to approach from most directions. The Cumyns used local stone to construct the castle, but little else is known about its design or size. After centuries of ploughing, only the earthworks survive to tell the story of the place.

Visitors today see a quiet field where the castle once stood. The cropmarks form the only visible remains, but they still outline the shape of the old fortress. The surrounding farmland stretches away in gentle curves, with Alves Wood visible to the north. The site offers a peaceful spot to imagine how the castle looked in the 15th century. No other ruins or structures stand nearby, so the focus remains on the earthworks and the view.