Tolquhon Castle

Preston's Tower was constructed in the early 15th century, either by Sir Henry Preston or by his son-in-law Sir William Forbes, who inherited part of the Preston lands in 1420 following Sir Henry's death. His descendant William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon (died 1596), began work on a new castle in 1584, retaining Preston's Tower while adding new and more comfortable accommodation. He also improved the gardens and parkland surrounding the house. King James VI was entertained at Tolquhon in July 1589. The new buildings were arranged around a courtyard and included an elaborate gatehouse and a first-floor gallery. An inscription on the gatehouse records that “AL THIS WARKE EXCEP THE AULD TOWR WAS BEGUN BE WILLIAM FORBES 15 APRIL 1584 AND ENDIT BE HIM 20 OCTOBER 1589”. The home of a "Renaissance man", Tolquhon was designed for display rather than defence and was the work of the mason-architect Thomas Leper or Leiper. Leper’s distinctive triple shot-holes flank the main entrance ==Description==

The main entrance is on the north range of the castle, with Preston's Tower forming the north-east corner. The gallery occupies the first floor of the west range, while the main hall is located in the south range and is accessed via a stair from the courtyard. A prison was situated within the south-east tower. To the north of the main quadrangle lies the walled outer courtyard, which contains the remains of a doocot. Image:Tolquhon Castle, front and entrance.jpg|View from front Image:Tolquhon Castle, main hall from above with surrounding countryside.jpg|Main hall from above Image:Tolquhon Castle, central courtyard and rear living area.jpg|Central courtyard and rear living area Image:Tolquhon Castle, detail of floor in main hall.jpg|Detail of stone tile floor in main hall File:The Tolquhon Tomb - geograph.org.uk - 970491.jpg|The Tolquhon tomb in Tarves churchyard, erected in 1589 by William Forbes, 7th Laird of Tolquhon, to commemorate himself and his wife Elizabeth Gordon == See also ==