Craigevar Castle is the picture- perfect Scottish Baronial Tower House, or with its painted walls and setting, a true fairy tale castle.

A fabulous castle well worth visiting, albeit little in the way of historical interest.

As you would expect for such a castle, this one is very well sign posted with plenty of parking with the castle and grounds just a few steps from the car park.

~ History ~

1376 ~ The Mortimers acquire the Craigevar estate.

1575 ~ John Mortimer begins the building of Craigevar Castle that will take him and his son James the next two decades to complete.

1610 ~ William Forbes purchase the Craigevar estate after making his fortune as a merchant trading through the Baltic trading routes, and marrying Margaret Woodward, daughter of the Lord Provost of Edinburgh. In order to express his vast wealth he sets about having the top section of the castle redesigned with decorative towers and turrets.

1627 ~ Williams building work is almost complete upon his death.

1630 ~ William's son and heir, also named William, is created Baronet of Nova Scotia by King Charles I and is also active to the Covenanter Cause.

1648 ~ Upon William's death his son, 'Red' Sir John Forbes inherits the Craigevar estate. Later generations inheriting the castle through the Sempill name experience significant financial debts and difficulties on the estates. However, the family are able to retain the castle living there into the mid twentieth century.