History - Return to Eden
Return to Eden
Photos by Paul Kelbie Eden Castle
by Paul Kelbie
T
here is very little documented about the once imposing Z-plan tower house that lies amid farmland on the back road between Banff and Turriff in Aberdeenshire. But, if walls could talk there is little doubt this crumbling ruin would have tales to tell that could inspire not just one book but a whole library.
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Bearing the name Eden Castle, conjuring up Biblical images of being surrounded by an abundance of natural beauty, this historic 16th century building was originally constructed sometime around the latter half of the 1500s, probably as the centrepiece of a country estate rather than as a purely defensive structure.
Over the years it is known to have
changed hands several times, having been home to members of three of the region’s most powerful families - the Meldrums, Leslies and Duffs. Situated close to the junction of where the Burn of Kingedward meets the River Deveron the castle overlooks lands that have featured in the history books going back more than 600 years.
