Forter Castle


Forter Castle is located in Glenisla, Perthshire, Scotland. It was built in 1560 by James Ogilvy, the 5th Lord of Airlie. In 1640, it was burned by Archibald Campbell, the 8th Earl of Argyll, but it was rebuilt in the early 1990s.
The castle is located within Angus council area.

History

James Ogilivy, the 5th Lord of Airlie, built Forter Castle in 1560 to protect the Balloch Pass route to Glenshee from intrusion.
James Ogilvy’s grandson James Ogilvy, the 7th Lord of Airlie, was named the 1st Earl of Airlie by Charles II in 1639. In 1650, James refused to sign the National Covenant, so Forter castle was burnt down by the Duke of Argyll, Archibald Campbell, along with Airlie Castle. The Ogilvys moved to Cortachy Castle. In 1988, the castle was rebuilt by Robert Pooley.

Architecture

The castle consists of a main block with a wing projecting from the southeast corner. The ground floor of the castle was divided into two cellars and a kitchen, all of them vaulted, although the subdividing walls were missing prior to the restoration The hall was on the first floor with a fireplace and there are another two floors above it with an attic.
After rebuilding, castle has five floors. On first floor there is a hall, the second floor has a master bedroom, and the third floor has three more bedrooms. The interior of the rebuilt castle was designed by Pooley's daughter, Katharine Pooley.