Birse Castle

Birse Castle is a historic building located in the Forest of Birse in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was originally built in the 16th century as a hunting lodge or summer retreat by Sir William Gordon of Cluny, who feued the land from the Bishop of Aberdeen. The castle passed through the hands of several owners over the years, including Sir William Douglas of Glenbervie and Charles Gordon, 1st Earl of Aboyne. By the late 19th century, the castle was in ruins, with only the north and east walls still standing. It was restored and expanded in the early 20th century by George Bennett Mitchell for J. R. Heaven, and another wing was added by Dr. William Kelly for Annie Pearson, Viscountess Cowdray, in 1930.

The castle is a square, rubble-built structure with three stories and an attic, and features turrets and a circular tower corbelled to square at the southeast corner. It has undergone several renovations and expansions over the years, including the addition of north and west wings to give it an L-shaped plan, and the addition of an east wing to create a Z-shaped plan. The castle is designated as a Category B listed building, which is a designation given to buildings in Scotland that are considered to be of regional or local importance. It is known for its distinctive architectural features and its rich history.