Edzell Castle began as a tower house with buildings and was developed during the 16th century into a courtyard castle by the Crawford Lindsays.
To the south of the courtyard is one of the finest Renaissance Walled Garden or pleasance in Scotland. Look out for the summer house and bath house which had been built by 1604. The walls of the garden have heraldic and symbolic decorations.
Please note, Edzell Castle and Gardens are currently closed to visitors while Historic Scotland undertakes high level masonry inspections. Check the website for updates.
In about 1358, Catherine Stirling, heiress of Glenesk, married Sir Alexander, 3rd son of Sir David Lindsay of Crawford. In the early 16th century, the Lindsays seem to have moved from the motte and bailey castle to a new site, 300m to the NE where they built the towerhouse. Around 1553, David 9th Earl of Crawford, built a two storey range adjoining the tower.
Queen Mary stayed at the Castle in August 1562 during her Royal Progress north.
Sir David Lindsay, succeeded his father in 1558. He created the pleasance, bathhouse and summerhouse in 1604. This is the finest Renaissance garden to have survived in Scotland – the planting dates from 1930s. Sir David would have been influenced by his travels in Europe with his tutor, James Lawson, a colleague of John Knox.
In 1651, Edzell was briefly garrissoned by Cromwell’s troops.
Through debt, David Lindsay was forced to sell the estate to the Earl of Panmure in 1715 but as a Jacobite sympathiser, the lands were immediately forfeited. The York Buildings Company obtained possession and began destroying the buildings and surrounding estate. But they too became bankrupt and many of the trees were felled and the castle gutted, to pay off their creditors.
In 1930s, the importance of Edzell Castle and its gardens were recognised and taken into care.
