The ruins of Findlater Castle are situatedon a rocky outcropping on the coastbetween Cullen and Sandend. There hasbeen some form of fortification on the sitesince at least the 13th century, but theremaining buildings probably date fromthe late 14th century when the castle wasowned by the Sinclairs, or possibly fromthe mid 15th century when it passed to theOgilvies. It came into the possession ofthe Gordons in 1546, when Sir AlexanderOgilvie disinherited his son and signed theproperty over to Sir John Gordon, son of the Earl of Huntly.
Sir Alexander’s son, James Ogilvie used his influence as Steward to Queen Mary’shousehold to get his inheritance back. In 1562, Sir John Gordon refused tosurrender the castle and grant entrance to Mary, Queen of Scots. She sent a company of troops to seize it, but they were defeated by Sir John Gordon. He was later defeated at the Battle of Corrichie, taken to Aberdeen and beheaded. The castle was returned to the Ogilvies, who abandoned it soon after 1600.
Pictured above the ruins of Findlater Castle. Pictured below a historic reconstruction of Findlater Castle during the Gordon tenancy by Andrew Spratt. Note the Gordon flag flying! As you can see this was an imposing ediface.
