Forfar Castle

Forfar Castle was an 11th-century royal fortress west of Forfar in Angus. It stood in a marshy area surrounded by water, making it a strong defensive position. Scottish kings Malcolm III, William I and Alexander II used it as a base for military campaigns. Malcolm III raised an army here to repel Danish invaders. The castle changed hands several times during the Wars of Independence. Edward I of England took it in 1296 and garrisoned it. King Robert I captured and burned it in 1306. The English rebuilt it, but Scots led by Philp the Forester of Platan recaptured it on Christmas Day 1308 and destroyed the garrison. No visible remains survive above ground today. The site is known as Castle Hill. Archaeological traces existed until the 17th century. The location remains a quiet green mound in Forfar’s landscape.