Guthrie Castle

Situated in Angus Region, 7 miles East of Forfar, the castle was built in I5th century on site of earlier fortress. Square tower of 1468 and 19th --century additions. Can be viewed from outside only.

The Guthries of Guthrie received their estates by charter from David II (1329-71). In 1457 Sir David Guthrie of Guthrie was Armour- Bearer to King James III and the Sheriff of Forfar; he became Lord Treasurer of Scotland in 1461 and continued in this office until 1467 when he was appointed Comptroller of the Exchequer. In 1468 he obtained a warrant under the Great Seal to build Guthrie Castle near Friockheim in Angus, which remains standing to this day. Although the Guthries of Guthrie were the main line of the family many off-shoots existed, some of them mentioned in an old rhyme: "Guthrie o' Guthrie And Guthrie o' Gaigie Guthrie o' Taybank An' Guthrie o' Craigie" An old tale without substance gives an alternative derivation for the name. One of the early Scottish Kings had taken shelter, along with two attendants, in a fisherman's hut. The King, knowing his attendants would be hungry, asked the fisherman to prepare two fish for them, but the fisherman offered to feed the king as well and "gut three"; and so, the legend insists, the name stuck.

If you would like to visit this area as part of a highly personalized small group tour of my native Scotland please e-mail me at;

sandystevenson@thefreesite.com

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