Fire crews attend Pitcaple Castle fire

Eight fire teams have spent the evening fighting a fire in Pitcaple Castle.

The fire and rescue service were called to the historic building off the A96 Aberdeen to Inverness road, near Pitcaple, after a call around 4.40pm.

Fire appliances – including a height vehicle and a water carrier have been sent from Inverurie, Insch, Kintore, Dyce, Aberdeen Central and Turriff.

The appliances are still at the scene tackling the blaze.

Pitcaple Castle is believed to have originally been erected shortly before 1570, and renovated and extended around 1830.

Through the centuries the castle has hosted numerous members of the Royal family including James IV, Mary Queen of Scots, Charles II, Queen Mary.