In May 1992, Chris Ruffle was residing in Taiwan.  He bought Dairsie Castle from Andrew Logan, sight unseen, as part of the sale of Dairsie Farm.  It was an unpromising start, for Dairsie was referred to as "an unsuitable candidate for restoration" by Historic Scotland.  Undaunted Ruffle achieved planning permission to rebuild the castle within a year of the purchase.   
The application process was complicated by the ruin being both a listed building and also a scheduled monument, and thus entailed private funding of a 3-month long archaeological dig.  Although inconclusive it indicated that the surviving fabric was earlier than previously believed.   
All new sections of the building were faced with sandstone, and Historic Scotland requested that the stone then be harled.  This stone cladding included a whole tower of curved ashlar, for which there is little precedent in Scotland.  The owner's aim was to create a comfortable home while retaining much of the character of the original castle, and he is to be applauded for his personal commitment and cost in what he, and the design and construction team have achieved.  The restoration was completed in 1995.