Thornton Castle, a mansion in Marykirk parish, Kincardineshire, near the right bank of the Black Burn, 3 miles W of Laurencekirk. An ancient Scottish Baronial edifice, bearing date 1531, but supposed to be partly much earlier, it was repaired about 1822, and greatly improved about 1846. John Strachan, knighted in 1375, obtained from his father the lands of Thornton; and Alexander Strachan of Thornton was created a baronet in 1625. The sixth baronet was Admiral Sir Richard Strachan, G.C.B. (1760-1828), distinguished for his naval services.Alex. Crombie, a successful and much-esteemed advocate and land agent in Aberdeen, acquired the property in 1804. He was succeeded by his cousin, the Rev. Alex. Crombie, LL.D., F.R.S. (1760-1840), the author of several well-known works; and his grandson, Alex. Crombie, Esq., W. S. (b. 1836; suc. 1877), holds 2300 acres in the shire, valued at £2632 per annum.—Ord. Sur., sh. 57, 1868.

(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)