Balquhain Castle

About

Balquhain Castle is a ruined tower house in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It served as the stronghold of the Leslies of Balquhain. The castle is located 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) to the west of Inverurie, and is protected as a scheduled monument.

History: The castle was built in the 15th century on lands held by the Leslie family from 1340. On 5 July 1441, John Leslie of Balquhain made an indenture with four masons, David Hardgat, David Dun, Robert Masoun and Gilbert Masoun that they would complete his building work. The castle was sacked during a feud with the Forbes family in 1526. The castle was rebuilt in 1530. On 1 September 1562, Mary Queen of Scots stayed at the castle. William Leslie, laird of Balquhain, was a leader of her vanguard at the Battle of Corrichie. In March 1563, Queen Mary forgave William Leslie of Balquhain for his dealings with the George Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly. She wrote to him to make provisions for her when she visited again in August 1564. The place name was sometimes written as "Boquhane". In 1588, John Leslie, laird of Balquhain, was involved unsuccessfully in a fishing dispute, supporting the rights of Thomas Leslie of Banff against burgesses in Aberdeen...