Notes on Five Donside Castles

Abstract

The five ruined castles are all situated in the valley of the Aberdeenshire Don. With the exception of Tillycairn, no architectural description or plan of any of them has yet been published, and the notes and sketches of Tillycairn are not reliable. All five castles are excellent examples of the different types of fortified mansions, or "houses of fence," which were being constructed during the last half of the sixteenth century. In addition to Tillycairn, the castles at Pitfichie, Balfluig, Asloun and Culquhonny are described with accompanying plans.