Corgarff Castle

The castle's origins are believed to date back to around 1550, when John Forbes of Towie initiated the construction of a tower house within a walled enclosure. The Forbes family, who supported the claims of the future James VI, came into conflict with the Gordon supporters of Mary, Queen of Scots. In November 1571, Adam Gordon of Auchindoun besieged the castle. Although the Forbes men were absent, John Forbes' wife Margaret refused to surrender the castle and was subsequently killed with her family in the burning building. Only Margaret escaped, later giving birth to a son in Ireland. In the 17th century, the castle served as a base for bandits before being acquired in 1626 by John Erskine, the 18th Earl of Mar. During the Civil War, James Graham, the 1st Marquess of Montrose, used it as a rallying point in 1645. In 1689, Corgarff was burned down by Jacobites to prevent its use by supporters of William of Orange.