Edzell Castle
the outer courtyard wall of the castle, from the north
Ownership
The Lindsay Earls of Crawford acquired the lands in 1367 from the Stirling family of Glenesk, and built a castle here to replace the simple motte castle nearby. It was important enough for Mary, Queen of Scots to hold a royal council here in 1562, and to stay here for a time.
The castle was in English hands under Cromwell in 1651.
The Lindsays sold the castle to repay debts in 1715, and it was bought by the Maules (Earls of Panmure), but they were part of the Jacobite uprising in 1745 and forefeited their lands and claims. THe castle was sold to the York Buildings COmpany, who started to dsmantle the castle for buidling materials in the 18th century. At that time, the castle was damaged by the Hanoverian troops who occupied it. The castle was recovered by the Maule family. amd passed in 1782 to the 8th Earl of Dalhousie, although it was abandoned soon afterwards and not repaired.
The castle was turned over to the state in the 1930s.
looking over the garden wall (and hedge) to the tower
the courtyard wall and large windows