Edzell Castle was built to replace an earlier motte and bailey residence by the Lindsay family in the early 16th century. The four-storey tower house was finished off with a substantial north range and its famed Renaissance-style walled garden in 1604.

However, the cost of the building work was beyond the means of the family and left them heavily in debt. The family's ownership of Edzell came to an end in 1715 when the last lord sold the castle and estate to pay off his debts. The new owner promptly had it confiscated the same year after backing the losing side in the Jacobite rebellion.

It subsequently fell into ruin after being continually stripped for building materials.