Fortar Castle

Forter Castle stands in Glenisla, Angus, within the Cairngorms National Park. Built in 1560 by James Ogilvy, the 5th Lord of Airlie, it was designed as a fortified house to guard the Balloch Pass route. The castle’s L-shaped plan included a tower at the south-east corner and vaulted compartments on the ground floor. In 1640, Archibald Campbell, the 8th Earl of Argyll, burned the castle during clan conflicts. It remained a ruin until the early 1990s, when it was rebuilt to its original 16th-century layout. The restoration preserved the castle’s historic features while adding modern comforts. Robert Pooley purchased the ruin in 1988 and guided its reconstruction with help from Scottish Heritage. His daughter, Katharine Pooley, designed the interior, blending antiquated touches with 21st-century conveniences. The castle now includes five floors, with a great hall, a master bedroom, and three additional guest rooms. Its chapel in the basement has hosted weddings, adding to its modern use. Visitors find a carefully restored 16th-century fortress with vaulted cellars and a grand hall on the first floor. The kitchen occupies the basement, where the original dungeon once stood. The great hall features a large fireplace along one wall, and the laird’s bedroom spans the entire second floor. The castle’s exterior retains its L-plan and corner tower, while the interior reflects Katharine Pooley’s design. Set against the rugged landscape of Glenisla, it offers a glimpse of Scotland’s fortified past.