Mounie Castle

Mounie Castle is a 17th-century manor house in the village of Daviot, Aberdeenshire. It stands in its own grounds surrounded by farmland and woodland. The building was constructed between 1641 and 1644 for Robert Farquhar, who served as lord provost of Aberdeen. Farquhar’s coat of arms can still be seen above the main entrance. The castle is listed at Category A, the highest level of historic building protection in Scotland. The house passed to Alex Hay of Arnbath in 1701, then became home to George Seton in 1714. Seton was a descendant of the Setons of Meldrum, the family who originally owned the estate. Their long connection with the land is reflected in the castle’s architecture and layout. The building shows the influence of Scottish Renaissance design. Inside, visitors find a symmetrical plan with a central hall and two main staircases. The rooms retain original plasterwork and wood panelling from the 17th century. Tall windows look out over the surrounding countryside. The grounds include mature trees and a walled garden that once supplied the household.