Castle Fraser is one of the grander Castles of Mar and is a marvellous illustration of defensive constructions of this period (1560-1636). Although in the form of a traditional tower house, the builders (the Bells and the Leipers) gave it a number of personal features by their attention to decorative detail. The castle was begun in 1575 and finished in 1636 and was the property of the Frasers until the 20C when it was taken over by the National Trust for Scotland.