Early History
According to legend, the Castle was originally started on a hill above its present location,
where evidence of foundations can still be found. The story goes that the then Laird of
Ballindalloch started to build there, but was compelled to change the site when the structure
was blown down repeatedly during the night by some invisible agent and a voice was heard to
repeat: "Build it in the coo-haugh". As a result, that is where the Castle stands
today.
We believe that the Castle was built in 1546, from the evidence of this date upon a lintel
in the oldest part of the building. The original front entrance to the west of the Castle, which
opens into an unusual circular stone stair leading to the cap-house or watch tower, is dated
1602.
In 1645, the Castle had to be substantially repaired after it was plundered and burned by the
Marquis of Montrose.
In the early 18th century, the first Grant lairds sold the Castle to a cousin, Colonel
William Grant of Rothiemurchus, who commanded one of the Independent Highland Companies from
which the Black Watch was formed.
