Early history The
Clan Keith, under John Keith of
Inverugie, inherited the lands of
Ackergill in 1354 from the Cheynes family. In 1593, Robert Keith, brother to
George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal (who rightfully owned the tower), seized Ackergill by force, for which he was declared a rebel, and the castle was returned to the Earl. In September 1597 John Keith of
Subster attacked the tower in the dead of night, climbing the walls with ladders, taking its occupants by surprise and capturing the place. In 1612, the Sinclairs acquired Ackergill Tower once again, but through legal means, when it was sold to the
Earl of Caithness by the Earl Marischal. However, by 1623 it was under assault once more, when it was besieged by
Sir Robert Gordon during his feud with George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness. The Sinclairs surrendered the castle before any assault took place. In 1651,
Oliver Cromwell may have used Ackergill Tower to garrison his troops during his siege of the Keith's
Dunnottar Castle, when he was hunting for the
Honours of Scotland. In 1676,
John Campbell, 2nd Earl of Breadalbane and Holland took possession of Ackergill Tower in repayment of debts owed to him by the Sinclairs.
Later history John Campbell put Ackergill Tower up for sale in 1699, and it was bought by
Sir William Dunbar of Hempriggs. The Dunbars began extensive renovations, including the addition of a
lean-to-shaped extension to the tower. In the mid-19th century, further additions including a
cap-house were made by the architect
David Bryce on behalf of George Sutherland Dunbar, 7th
Lord Duffus. ==References==