Arnage Castle
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Arnage Castle is a country house, incorporating a Z-plan tower house, located around 4 miles (6.4 km) north of Ellon, in Arnage, Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. The tower house dates from the late 16th century, and was extended in subsequent centuries.[1]
The Cheyne family acquired the land of Arnage through marriage towards the end of the 14th century.[2] The Cheynes built the tower house, but it was sold by the last of the family to John Sibbald in 1643.[2]
Baillie John Ross bought it in 1702. Subsequently he became provost of Aberdeen, where his 16th-century town house has been restored.[2] The family owned Arnage until recently, latterly under the name Leith-Ross.[2] The economist Sir Frederick Leith-Ross (1887–1968) spent his childhood at Arnage Castle.[3] In 1996 Arnage became the home of oil millionaire Gareth Jones who completed extensive renovation work on it over a period of 15 years.[4][dead link]
The present castle was built on the site of an older keep.[1] The 16th-century tower house was the work of the architect Thomas Leper or Leiper, and features distinctive triple shot holes which are also found at Tolquhon Castle.[1] Additional wings were added to the castle in 1860, designed by the architect James Matthews of Aberdeen.[2] Further additions were made in the 1960s. Arnage is still occupied, and is a category B listed building.[5]