[1] In 1571 it was burned by their enemy, Adam Gordon of Auchindoun, resulting in the deaths of Margaret Campbell, Lady Forbes, her children, and numerous others, 26 in total, and giving rise to the ballad Edom o Gordon[dubious – discuss].

They used hammers and battering rams to break down the gate, then fortified the house with a garrison of "Highland thieves and limmers".

A detachment of government troops were stationed there, on the military road from Braemar Castle to Fort George, Inverness.

Military use continued as late as 1831, after which the tower was used to suppress illegal whisky distilling in the surrounding area.

It remained part of the Delnadamph estate belonging to the Stockdale family until they passed the castle into state care in 1961 and gave the ownership of the castle to the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society.