Tolquhon Castle, Tarves By Ellon , Co. Aberdeenshire
Of the many ruined castles in the Grampians, from the battle scarred fortress to the extravagantly decorated palaces, Tolquhon Castle is certainly the most charmingly serene.
Inside the Castle Walls
Situated deep in the Aberdeenshire countryside not far from Inverurie, afford Toloquhon Castle a gentle setting. The castle was built in 1584 by local magnate Sir William Forbes a man who by all accounts was gracious, cultured and enlightened beyond many Lairds of his day and he was a generous benefactor to the local parish.
Much of what Forbes created at Tolquhon Castle can be seen through the ruins. The castle was a spacious residence of four ranges surrounding an open court yard, with an outer court enclosed by a stone perimeter wall or barmkin. The Gatehouse facade is tastefully adorned, designed to impress rather than deter visitors, even the triple gun loops are attractively carved. The gatehouse is graced by sculptured figurines of the Laird and his Lady and directly above the doorway are elaborate armorial panels baring the coat of arms of Forbes and those of King James VI who visited when building was complete in 1589.
After William Forbes' death in 1596, Tolquhon fell into decline following the family's bad speculations which included the ill fated Darian Scheme to Central America. The ruins today are a maze of spiral staircases and castle turrets that are a pleasure to walk around.
