Methlick

Sumptuous stately home, built in Palladian style from 1732; the interior was made-over with Victoriana in 1880. There's a large art collection, and an elaborate porcelain dinner service from His Nibs' stint as Governor-General for Canada. There's also an arts venue with theatre and concert hall. House and grounds passed to the National Trust in 1979.

Crumbling ruin of an L-plan tower house built in 1570. In Georgian times it was owned by Catherine Gordon Byron, the mother of Lord Byron the poet, but she sold it in 1787 the year before his birth. She had to sell to pay off the gambling debts of Byron's father "Mad Jack", while she and her infant went to live in meagre lodgings in Aberdeen. Jack died aged 34 in Spain so the title "Lord Byron" bypassed him and went to the son. Gight's new owners were the 3rd Earl of Aberdeen then his son Lord Haddo who died aged 27 in 1791, whereupon the castle fell derelict. Not much to see and the ruin is unsafe, you come for the bosky setting.

The first structure was from 1211, and each later owning family added a tower: Preston 1400-ish, Meldrum, Seton 1599 (the present entrance), Gordon 1778 and Leith 1890. The overall style is Scottish Baronial. Within (by guided tour) there's a grand wheel staircase and portrait collection. A charming walled garden grows Scottish fruit and vegetables.

Pronounced "Toh-hon", this castle was built 1584-89. The original Preston Tower was built in the 15th century and defensive, but it was incorporated into this Renaissance building intended for comfort and show. The owners were busted by the collapse of the Darien scheme in 1718 and the castle fell derelict.

Recreation of a Scottish Renaissance walled garden with striking geometric designs. The original was destroyed by fire in 1818 but recreated by NTS. Admission includes the Museum of Farming Life, a collection of old implements.