[4] The castle and lands were purchased by John Farquharson, 9th Laird of Invercauld but the building was left in ruins until 1748 when it was leased to the government at a fee of £14 per year, now to serve as a garrison for Hanoverian troops.

Restoration to provide a family home began under the 12th Laird of Invercauld who entertained Queen Victoria there when she attended the Braemar Gatherings in the grounds of the castle.

[7] The building is a five-storey L-plan castle with a star-shaped curtain wall of six sharp-angled salients, and with three storey angle turrets.

These are built out into the salients of the outer wall, and in Victorian times a second kitchen was added adjoining the staff rooms.

In the floor of a passage, an iron grill provided access to the Laird's Pit, a dark hole used as a dungeon.

In the main wing at this level is the Drawing Room, containing graffiti incised on the window shutters by government troops.