Bucholie Castle by has origins dating from about 1140 when a fortress called Lamaborg was built on this site by Sweyn Asliefson the notorious pirate and robber . Sweyn was the younger brother of Gunni from whom were descended the Clan Gunn. From Sweyn descended the Swanson family name.

In 1152 Svein was besieged in his castle by Earl Rognvald following an argument over rents and the death of a local nobleman. The Earl arrived with a strong force to arrest Svein, who refused to comply. When his provisions were almost exhausted, Svein and his companion-in-arms, Margad Grimson, managed to escape by lowering themselves to the sea from the 100ft high castle rock by means of a rope and then swimming along the shore to safety.

The Mowat family were later granted Lambaborg and the lands of Freswick from King Robert the Bruce and they re-modelled it and named the castle Bucholie after their estate in Aberdeen. Bucholie Castle remained in the Mowat family until 1661 after which it fell into disrepair.

It is important to note visitors are not encouraged as the access to the castle site dangerous one indeed - the only means of entry being by narrow crossing about 4 ft wide to the gate with sheer 100 ft drops on either side.