John Erskine,
Earl of Mar erected the original tower in 1628, as a bulwark against the power of the
neighbouring Farquharsons. In 1689 John Farquharson of Inverey burned it. Acquired in 1732
by John Farquharson, the castle was leased in 1748 for 99 years tot he Government who
restored and altered the tower (notably the star-shaped wall and tops of the turrets).
They used it as a garrison for soldiers following the Jacobite rising. John Adam, elder
son of William and brother of Robert, all notable Scots architects supervised the
alterations. It was later converted to a private residence, and visited by Queen Victoria
From the entrance door one
climbs to the dining room which has a few Jacobite relics. Adjoining are the Pink Bedroom,
dressing room and bathroom. The drawing room has graffiti left by soldiers – Sergeant
John Chestnut, 1797, and others. The four poster room is a bedchamber with two closets in
the turrets. The morning room contains the world’s largest Cairngorm stone, weighing
52 pounds, and Canadian Indian objects. The vaulted kitchen has various relics including
an early fridge. Rooms on the ground floor contain exhibits of military relics, taxidermy,
children’s toys, foreign costumes, flags and standards and Farquharson memorabilia.
There is a charter of 1633 by the Earl of Mar in favour of Farquharson of Invercauld, a
yett and a prison pt with bones. Outside the star wall is a stone cheese press. |
