Kilcoy Castle (8)
The view from the west, showing the 19th century 'north wing' to the left, and other late single story additions.

Kilcoy was part of the Earldom of Ross and is referred to as such as early as the beginning of the 14th century.  Early charters refer to it as 'Culcowy', 'Culcolly' and 'Culcolli' - close to its original Gaelic name - Cu coille.  In 1511, there was a charter of Culcowy to Henry Stewart; and later, in 1554, to John Stewart, son and heir apparent of Robert Stewart of Muren.  

Actual ownership of Kilcoy does not really become clear until the year 1605.  In that year it is referred to in a marriage settlement between Sir James Stewart of Newton and Muren* and Jean Fraser, daughter of Sir Thomas Fraser of Strichen (some sources, I think incorrectly, say she was a daughter of Lord Lovat).  Most references (except Canmore) refer to the Stewarts as the likely builders of Kilcoy, or at least, the initiators of the building!  Wikipedia states that it was 'built beginning as early as 1580' by the Stewarts.

(* Muren appears to be a corruption of 'Muirton', of which there are many in Scotland, including one less than 4 miles NE of here.  There are more 'Newtons' in Scotland than you can point a bagpipe at!)
dji0395crop scotland 2022 castle kilcoycastle towerhouse rosscromarty culcowy culcolly culcolli cucoille stewartofnewtonandmuren muirton mackenzieofkilcoy baronetsofkilcoy