Of the many Historic castles to grace the Aberdeenshire countryside, Tolquhon is amongst the most picturesque. Although a noble residence for over 500 years, the present ruins are largely a hallmark of one remarkable man, William Forbes, seventh lord of Tolquhon. In 1584, he instigated a comprehensive rebuilding programme which, when completed six years later, gave to William and his wife, Elizabeth, a house that was amongst one of the finest of its day.

Willaim Forbes was probably brought up in the cramped tower house, Preston's Tower built by his ancestor more than a century before. In its place he created a spacious residence consisting of four ranges grouped around an open courtyard. Opposite the gatehouse lay the main house, flanked on either side by lesser accommodation and service buildings. The gatehouse facade, adjoining the old Preston's Tower, was designed to impress rather than to deter visitors, and over the doorway William Forbes proudly displayed his coat of arms and those of his king, James VI, who visited Tolquhon in 1589, shortly after completion of the building programme.

William Forbes did not live long to enjoy his new house for he died there in 1596. He and Elizabeth were buried in the south aisle of the parish kirk in the village of Tarves. Although the church itslef is gone, their exquisitely detailed tomb has survived.