Pitsligo Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pitsligo castle |
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| Aberdeenshire, Scotland | |
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| Coordinates | 57°41′32″N 2°06′25″W / 57.6923°N 2.1069°W |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Ruin |
| Site history | |
| Built | 15th century |
Pitsligo Castle is an old, ruined castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It stands near the village of Rosehearty. A famous historian, W. Douglas Simpson, once called it one of the "nine castles of the Knuckle." This name refers to the rugged coastline of northeast Aberdeenshire.
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What is Pitsligo Castle?
Pitsligo Castle started as a strong tower, known as a keep, built in the 1400s. Over time, more buildings were added around it. Today, much of the castle is in ruins, but you can still see parts of its history.
Exploring the Castle's Design
When you visit Pitsligo Castle, you'll notice several interesting features. There's an arched entrance in the outer wall. This gateway has the year 1656 carved into it. You can also see the family symbols, called "arms," of the Forbes and Erskine families.
Inside the Courtyard
In the inner part of the castle, another date, 1663, is visible. This shows when parts of the castle were changed or built. In the northeast corner of the courtyard, there's a tall, round tower. It's called a "drum-tower" because of its shape.
The main tower of the castle once had three floors with arched ceilings. Sadly, most of these upper floors are now gone. However, a stair tower in the northeast corner is still quite well preserved. You can also spot special stone panels above the courtyard doorway, dated 1577.
Pitsligo Castle Today
Pitsligo Castle is officially recognized as a scheduled monument by Historic Environment Scotland. This means it's an important historical site. It is protected to make sure it stays safe for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
