The ruins of Findlater Castle are situated on a rocky outcropping on the coast between Cullen and Sandend. There has been some form of fortification on the site since at least the 13th century, but the remaining buildings probably date from the late 14th century when the castle was owned by the Sinclairs, or possibly from the mid 15th century when it passed to the Ogilvies. It came into the possession of the Gordons in 1546, when Sir Alexander Ogilvie disinherited his son and signed the property over to Sir John Gordon, son of the Earl of Huntly.
Sir Alexander’s son, James Ogilvie used his influence as Steward to Queen Mary’s household to get his inheritance back. In 1562, Sir John Gordon refused to surrender the castle and grant entrance to Mary, Queen of Scots. She sent a company of troops to seize it, but they were defeated by Sir John Gordon. He was later defeated at the Battle of Corrichie, taken to Aberdeen and beheaded. The castle was returned to the Ogilvies, who abandoned it soon after 1600.
