IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
BANFF, AB45 3TS

The farm house at Inchdrewer is partly hidden among the trees beyond the ploughed field. Boyndie wind farm is in the distance.

Inchdrewer Castle stands on high ground looking out over Banff to the North Sea. It is a fine house, now fallen on sad days. Like most Scottish castles, it has seen its share of incidents! Lord Banff was murdered here by his own servants (probably having earned it!), who in an attempt to hide their crime, torched the castle. It remained a ruin for a long time but has undergone some half-hearted restoration.

Inchdrewer Castle is an L-plan tower dating from around 1542, though it is on record as being a property of the Barclays of Towie, and later the Earl of Crawford, before then. A round staircase tower, and buildings to north and south, were added, possibly around 1557 by Ogilvie of Dunlugas, and the doorway moved from the original re-entrant to the courtyard side on the west. It was the principal residence of Lord Banff. In 1713 George, Lord Banff, was murdered here and the building set on fire by his servants. It was rebuilt, and in 1803 when the last Lord Banff died it passed to the Abercrombys of Birkenbog. In 1968 it was reported that the owner, said to be Count Robin Ian Evelyn Stuart de la Lanne Mirrlees of Inchdrewer, Baron of Inchdrewer and Laird of Bernera Mor had removed rubble from the paved courtyard, and was renovating the building. However a later report suggests that he has now sold the castle.

Inchdrewer Castle is an L-plan tower dating from around 1542, though it is on record as being a property of the Barclays of Towie, and later the Earl of Crawford, before then. A round staircase tower, and buildings to north and south, were added, possibly around 1557 by Ogilvie of Dunlugas, and the doorway moved from the original re-entrant to the courtyard side on the west. It was the principal residence of Lord Banff. In 1713 George, Lord Banff, was murdered here and the building set on fire by his servants. It was rebuilt, and in 1803 when the last Lord Banff died it passed to the Abercrombys of Birkenbog. In 1968 it was reported that the owner, said to be Count Robin Ian Evelyn Stuart de la Lanne Mirrlees of Inchdrewer, Baron of Inchdrewer and Laird of Bernera Mor had removed rubble from the paved courtyard, and was renovating the building. However a later report suggests that he has now sold the castle.

This is the view from the north. From this direction you can see the original L-plan buildings, and the round tower added on the left.

Up the approach road towards the Remains of the castle