It must be haunted, surely?

We have had a busy day putting the house back together after a bout of decorating and carpet laying. Why is that things that a few short days ago fitted comfortably in our cupboards no longer do so? Anyway, I was allowed out briefly at the end of the day, and managed to photograph our local Castle as the sun went down.

Knockhall Castle, which was probably built in 1565, is an L-plan towerhouse of three stories situated on the outskirts of Newburgh on Ythan. The lands of Newburgh were controlled by the Sinclair family from the 13th century, with a settlement first established in 1261. The Knockhall tower was probably built for Henry, the future 6th Lord Sinclair. The village enjoyed a royal visit when James VI stayed with him on 9 July 1589.

The castle was sold in 1633 to a son of Udny of that Ilk and was damaged in 1639 when taken by the Earl Marischal for the Covenanters. The castle eventually returned to Udny hands and the family occupied it until 1734, when an accidental fire gutted the building. This disaster is associated with Jamie Fleeman, the Laird of Udny's fool or Jester. Jamie saved the Laird's iron charter chest, which usually took three men to lift, from the fire by picking it up and throwing it out of a wondow. The laird is said to have rewarded Jamie with a peck of meal and sixpence per week for life.