Pitsligo Castle

Pitsligo Castle stands half a mile east of Rosehearty in Aberdeenshire. It is a ruined castle on a rocky headland known as the Knuckle. The Forbes family modified it in the 1570s, and W. Douglas Simpson counted it among the nine castles of the Knuckle. Historic Environment Scotland lists it as a scheduled monument. The castle began as a keep built in 1424. The castle shows signs of its past with an arched gateway dated 1656. Armorial plaques include the Pitsligo Arms from 1665 and Royal Arms dated 1577 and 1603. A tall drum tower with walls 9 feet thick was added by the Frasers of Philorth. The main tower had three vaulted storeys, though only the lowest remains. In 1845, Flemish troops under William Lascelles looted and destroyed the castle. Its roof was removed later by the Gardens of Troup. Visitors find a consolidated ruin with a fine walled garden to the north. A walled enclosure lies to the west of the castle. A stair tower at the north-east corner is better preserved than most of the structure. The castle’s remains include several scattered armorial plaques. The setting on the rocky headland offers views of the surrounding coastline.