Towie Barclay Castle is a restored 16th-century tower house located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Once a fortified home of the Barclay family, it stands as a striking example of Scottish architecture: a compact rectangular keep with thick stone walls, narrow defensive windows, a prominent stair tower, and corbelled turrets added during later modifications.

The lands of Towie Barclay were granted to the Barclay family in the 11th century by King Malcolm III of Scotland. Currently, the Castle is the residence of Robert Hayes, Baron of Delgaty, and his husband, James Burba. Robert is a descendant of King Malcolm III.

The castle’s history spans centuries of turbulent clan politics, decline, and revival. It was built in the 1500s, altered over time, suffered damage and neglect, and was carefully restored in the 1970s by folk singer Marc Ellington and his wife Karen Ellington to preserve its historic fabric while accommodating modern comforts. The restoration emphasizes authenticity—retaining original masonry, fireplaces, and period features—alongside careful conservation work to stabilize and interpret the building for visitors.

Today, Towie Barclay Castle functions as both a private residence and a heritage site. The grounds and interior displays showcase period furnishings, heraldry, and artifacts that illuminate life in a Scottish tower house across generations.

Visitors come for historic atmosphere, architectural interest, and the surrounding Aberdeenshire countryside—rolling farmland, ancient woodlands, and nearby walking routes. The castle also hosts curated events, educational programs, and selective functions, presented with a focus on conservation and authenticity.

Towie Barclay Castle exemplifies the layered history of Scottish country houses: a defensible stronghold transformed into a preserved cultural landmark, offering an intimate, well-maintained window into Scotland’s architectural and familial past.