Crows nest in the old keep of Pitsligo Castle near the village of Rosehearty in Aberdeenshire. Dating from 1424, it’s an impressive and atmospheric place. The Forbes family who built it, staunch Jacobite supporters, lost their lands and titles after the battle of Culloden. The castle was then ravaged by Hanoverian soldiers and fell into ruin. Read more on the Pitsligo Castle Trust website.
The oldest part of the castle, the keep or tower:
Many of the rooms round the rubble filled courtyard remain intact. The evening sun added bright effects on this visit.
A large bird flew out of here. It was all very ‘Game of Thrones’…
Here and there the sky shows through chimneys, windows and decayed stairwells.
The gateway:
Just up the hill is Peathill Kirk where old and new towers stand side by side (and phone reception is great).
Ghosts of Jacobites lurk here too.
And who knows what lurks underground? It’s locked…
The two sites make a trip up Peathill most worthwhile; they would been used and inhabited at the same time and offer an evocative glimpse into the past.
After writing this post I read up on Lord Pitsligo, whose castle this was and who is buried under the place pictured in that last photo and I wrote some more: In Search of Lord Pitsligo’s Caveย and then over on The Witch, The Weird and the Wonderful!
FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the 18th century kidnapped children of Aberdeen and is set in both Scotland and Colonial Pennsylvania.
Set mainly in an Aberdeenshire castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR features the 1597 Aberdeen witchcraft panic and a love story.
Paperbacks and kindle: http://author.to/mermaid
This is why I love Scotland. Old. Old. Old. So old and beautiful.
May we all be so beautiful when we’re old ๐
Thank you so much for sharing. Such beautiful pictures.
Glad you like ๐
Great photos of outside and INSIDE! Braver than me.
My curiosity pulls me into those scary dark places!
My claustrophobia pulls me out.
Well. at least you’ll never be squashed by collasping castle ceilings!
Hi Ailish, great photographs, thanks for sharing. I’ve long been a fan of Lord Pitsligo of the ’45, whom I’ve written up in my Jacobite books and here on my blog a few months back.
http://www.maggiecraig.co.uk/blog/?p=95
Would it be OK with you for me to link this blog to your pix here?
Snowing in our part of north-east Scotland this afternoon at the end of April!
Absolutely fine ๐ You have a fascinating blog!
Thanks, Ailish. I’m a novice at blogging, still finding my feet!
When I saw the sunny photo, the one casting the arch perimeter’s shadow, immediately I wondered how many others had walked through that space, into or away from the sunlightโgorgeous.
I really enjoy your art. Is just amazing what you can see trought a lense.
And who knows what lurks underground? Itโs lockedโฆ(Last Photo)
This is the tomb where the famous Jacobite ‘Lord Pitsligo’ is laid to rest.
Yes! I studied him after writing this post…
Beautiful photos!
Thank you!
Such gorgeous photos and wonderful commentary. Thank you for sharing!
Iโm glad you enjoyed them.
Stunning… So atmospheric.. Almost, though not quite as good as being there. Thanks for sharing such intense experiences.
I’m glad you enjoyed them ๐