Earlier, however, in the first half of the 14th century, King Robert II of Scotland had a hunting lodge in the area. This estate was later leased by Alexander Gordon, second son of Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Huntly. The Gordon family built a fortified castle there.
In 1662 the estate passed into the hands of the Farquharsons. In 1830, Sir Robert Gordon purchased the lease of the estate, made major changes to the original castle, and extended it in baronial style.
