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The castle was built
by the Inneses of Invermarkie, and is located about 3 miles south of Elgin. The
heraldic plaque above the door bears the Innes coat of arms, the
initials R.I. and A.I. and the date 1644. However, most authors note the
castle appears to be older. Coxton Tower is marked on Bleau's Atlas
Novus map of Moray, dated about 1590. The current tower may be a
repaired older tower, as the Privy Council in 1635 ordered the Inneses
of Leuchars and other members of the clan to "restore the property
of...Mr. John Innes of Coxtoun" to his executors, and to pay "1000 merks
for the wrong and insolence committed in the taking of the place of
Coxtoun." It is not the only known incidence of fighting among branches
of the Innes clan. Around 1700 the castle, which then had a courtyard,
was sold the William Duff of Dipple, the father of the first Duff Earl
of Fife. The tower was recently repaired [see 4th picture] but
is not occupied.
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