Farnell Castle

The present castle replaces a previous castle on the site, in existence in 1296.^[2] King Edward I of England stayed one night in 1296 at the castle during his invasion of Scotland, before travelling to Brechin Castle.^[4]

The castle originated as the Bishop's palace of the Bishop of Brechin. Bishop Meldrum called it ‘Palatium Nostrum’ in 1512.^[3] It was disposed of in about 1566, supposedly by Donald Campbell. It was turned into a secular castle by Catherine, Countess of Crawford.^[3] Subsequently, the Earl of Southesk purchased the castle.^[3] It was an alms house in the 19th century.^[1]

The castle is a three-storey structure, built from rubble and slate.^[1]

The east section, which was the bishop's residence, has crow-stepped gables. On the north are a projecting garderobe, with sanitary flues. On the east gable, at the level of the floors, there is a double row of corbels, and corbels which appear to have been for the purpose of supporting a roofed gallery. On the northern skewpots are small carved shields. One has the initial M, and a crown above; the other I.M., thought to stand for ‘Jesu Maria’^[3] There is a circular stair tower in front.^[2]

It is a category A listed building.^[1]

There is ruined rectangular lean-to dovecot with rubble walls supported by later buttressing in the castle grounds.^[2]