Inchdrewer Castle

Inchdrewer Castle
Southwest of Banff, Aberdeenshire
Inchdrewer Castle
Inchdrewer Castle Location within Aberdeenshire
Coordinates	57°38′06″N 2°34′40″W / 57.63506°N 2.57789°W / 57.63506; -2.57789Coordinates: 57°38′06″N 2°34′40″W / 57.63506°N 2.57789°W / 57.63506; -2.57789 grid reference NJ6550560672
Site information
Owner	Olga Roh
Open to the public	No
Condition	Ruined
Site history
Built	c. 1500
In use	Jacobite Rebellion
Materials	Ashlar rubble

Inchdrewer Castle is a 16th-century tower house in the parish of Banff, Aberdeenshire, in the northeast of Scotland. Situated on a slight rise 3.5 miles (5.6 km) southwest of Banff, it looks across to Banff Bay. Originally owned by the Currour family, it was purchased by the Ogilvies of Dunlugas in 1557 and became their main family seat. The Ogilvies were staunch Royalists, which resulted in the castle coming under attack from the Covenanters in 1640. George Ogilvy, 3rd Lord Banff was murdered in 1713 and his body hidden inside the castle, which was then set on fire. The castle came under siege again in 1746, during the Jacobite rebellion. At the start of the 19th century, following the death of the 8th Lord Banff, the property was inherited by the Abercromby of Birkenbog family, who leased it to a tenant. It became uninhabited after 1836 and the structure deteriorated.

Over the following century the neglect continued until some basic external renovation work was undertaken between 1965 and 1971, making the structure wind and water tight, although it remained unoccupied. The castle was again abandoned and left unmaintained. The condition of the building further declined, becoming derelict. It was in a ruinous state when marketed for sale in April 2013 after the death of Count Robin Mirrlees, who had owned it for about fifty years. At the end of that year it was purchased by the former model Olga Roh, who said she intended to restore it. Modern day reports suggest that the spirit of the 3rd Lord Banff and that of a white dog haunt the castle, which is classified as a category A listed building.

The castle's exact construction date is unknown, but it was some time in the early to mid 16th century, during the reign of either James IV or James V. Various spellings are used: Inch Druar (or Inchdruar as one word); Inchdruer; Inchdrewir; or Inchdrewr. Originally owned by the Curror (Currour) family, in 1557 it was purchased by Walter Ogilvy of Dunlugas (1509–58), and became the main family seat. James Currour was a notary in Banff and is linked with several of Dunlugas' contracts and witnessing leases.