Pitsligo Castle
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.
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 a bit ‘Game of Thrones’…
Here and there the sky shows through chimneys, windows and decayed stairwells.
The gateway:
Peathill Kirk
Just up the hill sits Peathill Kirk, where old and new towers stand side by side and, unsightly as it is, mobile phone reception is great.
Ghosts of Jacobites lurk here too.
Alexander Forbes, the 4th Lord of Pitsligo, quite a famous Jacobite, and owner of Pitsligo Castle, is buried in the crypt below. He was a most interesting character.
I’ve written about him here: In Search of Lord Pitsligo’s Cave and then in more detail over on The Witch, The Weird and the Wonderful blog. His open minded and fair way of being also inspired the character of Thomas, the Laird, in THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR.
Here he is at the side of Bonnie Prince Charlie (on the right, in the shadows), entering the ballroom at the Palace of Hollyroodhouse.
The painting, by John Pettie, is part of the Royal Collection Trust.
The two sites make a trip up to Peathill most worthwhile. The castle and kirk would been used and inhabited at the same time – Lord Pitsligo would have sat in the Forbes pew just above where his grave now is – and offer an evocative glimpse into the past.
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Set in an Aberdeenshire castle, THE MERMAID AND THE BEAR features the Scottish witchcraft accusations and a love story.
FIREFLIES AND CHOCOLATE was inspired by the 18th century kidnapped children of Aberdeen.
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This is why I love Scotland. Old. Old. Old. So old and beautiful.
May we all be so beautiful when we’re old 😀
Thank you so much for sharing. Such beautiful pictures.
Glad you like 🙂
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 🙂 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 sunlight—gorgeous.
I really enjoy your art. Is just amazing what you can see trought a lense.
And who knows what lurks underground? It’s locked…(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!
I’m 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 🙂
I appreciate seeing how scenic Scotland is in your pictures. In movies it always seem to be a drab foggy place.
Yes, where we all drive minis too. I’ve seen those films. Not that we don’t get ‘dreich’ days of course…
Every time I see these pictures, the desire to see Aberdeen keeps growing. I also have a friend in Glasgow, so maybe I will take that trip and visit Scotland.
I hope you enjoy your visit 🙂
Such interesting places and history you have there. Thanks for sharing.
Glad you like 🙂