Pttrapk.

HE Castle of Pitcaple is situated on the southern bank of the river Ury, andin the parish of Chapel of Garioch. It is of considerable antiquity, but theprecise date of its erection cannot now be ascertained. In itself composedof strong and massive masonry, it was also fortified by a lofty wall whichsurrounded the court yard, beyond which was a fosse or moat, with a draw-bridge communicating with the castle gate; the round tower and the pointed turret were thecharacteristic features of the building. In modern times the surrounding wall has beenremoved, the moat filled up, and all indication of the necessity of warlike preparation hasentirely disappeared. A large addition to the castle has been made by its present proprietor,in conformity with its ancient architecture, preserving its uniformity, and rendering it a hand-some and commodious residence. The principal tower at the north-east angle of the old castlewas formerly designated the “ Thane’s ” Tower , but why it was so called is as little known asis the date when its walls were erected.

Pitcaple formerly belonged to the Leslies, descendants of the ancient family of Balquhain.David, the first laird of the name, was the son of William, fourth laird of Balquhain, andobtained a charter of the lands of Harlaw, Ressiret, and Barony of Pitcaple in 1447. Hewas succeeded by his brother James, and married the daughter of Seton of Meldrum, by whombe had three sons, David, his heir, James of Ressiret, and Walter. The latter was parson ofMonymusk. He married secondly Elizabeth Stuart , daughter to the Earl of Athol. By hisfirst wife he had Robert, an advocate at the Scottish Bar, who purchased part of the Baronyof Kinnaird. He died in 1537. Alexander, the fourth laird, married Margaret, daughter toGordon of Achanassie, and was succeeded by his second son George, who married ChristianLeslie, daughter to Wardhouse. He unfortunately killed George Leith of Threefield, whichexasperated the then numerous families bearing that name against him. He was a man ofremarkable strength and undaunted courage, and although none of the Leiths ventured singlyto attack him, he was after many wanderings obliged to leave the country, and died in Germany a Ca,ptain in the Imperial Army.