Black and white photograph, c.1857
John Forbes White (1831-1904)
RCAHMS: John Forbes White Collection
This image was taken by John Forbes White at a time when the art of photography was still in its infancy. White initially studied medicine in Edinburgh, before returning to run the family mill in Aberdeen. He amassed an art collection as his wealth grew and later became an influential patron of contemporary Scottish art.
The photograph shows Harthill as a crumbling ruin, but the castle was restored between 1975-77 and returned to its former glory. The restoration work won the Saltire Award in 1977.
Harthill Castle is a pink-washed, Z-plan tower dating from the seventeenth century, and is the ancient seat of the family of Leith of Harthill.