Keith Inch Castle facts for kids

Keith Inch Castle was a strong, old building from the 1500s. It was a type of castle called a tower house, shaped like the letter 'L'. It stood on a small piece of land called Keith Inch, near Peterhead in Scotland. People sometimes called it Keith Insch Castle.

History of Keith Inch Castle

Keith Inch Castle was probably built around 1589. It belonged to the Keith family, who were powerful nobles called the Earls Marischal. The castle had strong defenses, including cannons. By 1715, it had seven Spanish cannons to protect it.

In 1644, about 500 soldiers from Oliver Cromwell's army took over the castle. They used it as a base for their operations. The next year, in 1645, a serious illness called the plague affected the Covenanter soldiers in Peterhead.

During the Jacobite Rising of 1715, the 10th Earl Marischal, George Keith, supported the rebellion. This rebellion tried to put James Francis Edward Stuart, also known as The Old Pretender, on the throne. James Stuart even landed in Peterhead from France.

After a big battle called the Battle of Sheriffmuir, the rebellion was defeated. James Stuart had to leave the country. In February 1716, soldiers loyal to the king attacked Keith Inch Castle. They looted it, taking many things, as they were putting down more unrest in Peterhead.

After 1715, the Arbuthnott family bought the castle. They built a new house nearby, and the old tower castle was no longer used.

What Keith Inch Castle Looked Like

The castle had four main floors and a small attic room at the top. A part of the castle, called a wing, was added later. The main tower was round. The added part was a plain house on the side facing the land. Some people think Keith Inch Castle was designed to look like Kronborg Castle in Denmark.

Around 1813, the castle was taken down. This was done to make space for improvements to the harbor and other areas nearby.