Corgarff Castle

We drove the Ballater to Tomintoul road. In winter this is always the first road in Scotland to be blocked by snow and rises quite dramatically to the Lecht Pass (2,089 ft). The views were fantastic and nestled en route is
Corgarff's medieval tower house. Built in the 16th century and surrounded by a distinctive star shaped perimeter wall.

'The Forbes family built the castle and were supporters of the cause of the future James VI following the imprisonment of Mary Queen of Scots in England. The Gordon family from Auchindoun were supporters of the claim of Mary to the Scottish throne. This led to feuding between the two clans, and in November 1571 Adam Gordon of Auchindoun tried to capture Corgarff Castle. The Forbes menfolk were absent, but John Forbes' wife, Margaret, refused to surrender the castle and shot one of Gordon's men through the knee with a pistol. In response Adam Gordon piled kindling against the castle and burned it down, killing Margaret Forbes and the 27 other women, children and servants who were inside.'

Somehow the castle captured our imagination and viewed from above as we continued our drive it looked amazing against the hillside with the star shape around the tower house.