FOURTH PERIOD 272 EDEN CASTLE EDEN CASTLE, BANFFSHIRE. This is a greatly ruined mansion, situated on rising ground 011 the east bank of the Deveron, about four miles south of Banff. In the sixteenth century the lands belonged to the Meldrums, by whom the castle may have been built. In 1676-7 it seems to have been extensively repaired by George Leslie, to whom it then belonged. This date is carved on some parts of the castle. The edifice is now very ruinous, and the buildings which adjoined the main block to the north have been entirely demolished. The original plan (Fig. 729) seems to have been that of a main central building, with FIG. 729. Eden Castle. Plans. two towers at diagonally opposite angles. That at the south-west angle still remains. It contained the entrance doorway in the re-entering angle FIG. 730. Eden Castle. View from the North- East. and the original wide square staircase, now removed, with small guard- room under it. The usual turret staircase, corbelled out in the re-entering
