Hawthornden Castle has two distinct phases of development. Standing on a rocky promontory jutting out above the River North Esk, the property belonged to the Abernethy family from the 13th century, passing to the Douglases in the 14th century.

The earliest part of the castle is a 15th century square tower around 8m square and three storeys in height with a vaulted pit prison below.

In the 16th century the castle was sold to the Drummond family, and in 1638 Sir William Drummond extended it, building an L-shaped north range connected to the earlier tower with a wall. It remained in the Drummond family until the 1970s, and underwent further additions in the mid-19th century.

The 15th century tower is now ruinous, but its 17th century neighbour is occupied.