Balquhain Castle

Balquhain Castle stands as a ruined tower house in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was the stronghold of the Leslies of Balquhain and lies 4 kilometres west of Inverurie. The site is protected as a scheduled monument. The castle was built in the 15th century on lands held by the Leslie family since 1340. Four masons—David Hardgat, David Dun, Robert Masoun and Gilbert Masoun—signed an indenture in 1441 to complete the work. The castle’s history includes a feud with the Forbes family, leading to a sacking in 1526. It was rebuilt in 1530 and later hosted Mary Queen of Scots on 1 September 1562. William Leslie, laird of Balquhain, led her vanguard at the Battle of Corrichie. In March 1563, Queen Mary forgave William Leslie for his dealings with the Earl of Huntly. The castle was burned by the Duke of Cumberland’s forces in 1746 and abandoned. Visitors find the remains of the tower, measuring 13.75 by 8.75 metres, surrounded by the ruins of a barmkin. The site offers a quiet view over the Aberdeenshire countryside. The tower’s walls still stand, marking the footprint of the 15th-century stronghold. The landscape around Inverurie provides a peaceful setting for exploring the ruins. The scheduled monument status ensures the site remains undisturbed.