Inverugie Castle

A defensive structure was first built at Inverugie by the Cheyne (Le Chen) family in the 13th or 14th century. In 1345, following the death of Reginald le Chen, Baron Inverugie, the estate of Inverugie was passed onto the Keith Earl Marischals, who had their main seat at the coastal fortress of Dunnottar Castle (via marriage of Edward Keith and the heiress Marjory, daughter of Reginald le Chen and Helen de Strathearn). Around 1660, the Keiths built what is the current, but now ruined, castle, lying south of the original wooden motte. In the 19th century, an oak heraldry shield was found in a local cottage with the arms of William Keith, 7th Earl Marischal and its date was carved as 1660. By…