The original castle was burnt in 1630; the present house was built in 1656, but remodelled in 1753, and extended in 1790. It probably incorporates part of the original castle. The house, which was restored in 1974, is still occupied.[1]
The burning of 1630 was during a feud with the Gordons. The Lord of Rothiemay, Lord Aboyne, and four others, were killed in the burning, but the Crichton laird and his people escaped. James Crichton of Frendraught was charged with but acquitted of their murder; but one of his servants, John Meldrum,[2] was executed.[1] This event was celebrated in the ballad, ‘'The Fire of Frendraught’’, ballad 196 in the Child Ballads.[3] The Gordons gathered the 'ashes and brynt bones' of the victims and buried them at the Kirk of Gartly.[2]
The present structure has been described as an extended house of considerable complexity and charm. Cellars in the west wing probably belong to the original building, while two small chamfered windows in the west gable seem to be the oldest features. There are fragments of the adjacent tower, which was demolished in 1947, adhering to the east elevation.[2]
The rebuilding in the 17th century consists of an imposing seven-window harled front with an ashlar-faced three window centre, which is topped by a semicircularpediment, slightly advanced. The porch, which has a 1688 datestone, was added when the angle tower was embellished with battlements and bartizans, about 1832. There are crow-stepped offices to the north of the court, which have now been converted; this structure dates from the 18th century or earlier.[2]Шаблон:Clearleft
Tradition
The ghost of Lady Elizabeth Crichton, who died in the 17th century, who may have been involved in the burning, is said to haunt the castle. Sightings were reported during the 20th century.[1]