Day 3 - Inverurie -
Craigievar Castle
This was "Castle Day". We'd never visited a pink castle before, so it was a no-brainer when we saw a picture of this one!
Before we begin, this is a castle of two halves. In 1626, a shrewd international trader, William Forbes (aka "Danzig Willy"), finished work on a seven storey castle that was based upon a partially completed building that he'd bought from the bankrupt Mortimer family in 1610.
First things first, though. As it was advertised as "no advance booking required", on arrival we opted for a little light refreshment and, even though it was alcohol free, that ginger beer really hit the spot! Afterwards, we went to enter the castle, only to be told: "Oh, no. You don't need to book in advance, but we're only allowed a certain number of visitors in the building at the same time. Our next available slot is in forty-five minutes." Oh, how we laughed as we stomped away to look at the covid-neglected gardens.
A lifetime ago, I read somewhere of the "strange beauty of neglect and decay". This was to be my first real-life understanding of that perspective. The manufactured beauty remains but it can't survive against the onslaught of nature. That's been the law of the land since time beyond memory.
Anyway, back to the castle. Completed by Danzig Willy circa 1626, if we jump forward to the early 1800s we find Craigievar castle in decay and also in danger of being demolished by its then owner, Sir John Forbes. A consultation with Aberdeen city architect John Smith turned Forbes away from his original decision, Smith stating that the tower was: "one of the finest specimens in the country of the age and style in which it was built".
Around 1826, work began. Reconstruction of the whole of the top floor was completed, "the towers were altered and raised" according to Aberdeenshire Council records, hence "a tower of two halves". The dark brown decorative line running around the building indicates the extent of the original tower below, and of the fairy-tale towers above which were added in the 1800s. Next time you watch a Disney movie, take note of Disney's castle motif: Craigievar is reputed to have been the inspiration for its design.
As seems to be the norm these days, no photography is allowed inside the castle. We found the atmosphere to be very calm and welcoming, despite local beliefs that there are several ghosts lurking around, and in, the place.
There was an open air recital in full swing in the garden, and this only added to the convivial atmosphere of Craigievar. However, our sense of comfort was quickly dispelled at our next destination: Castle Fraser.
Day 3 - Inverurie - Craigievar Castle
This was "Castle Day". We'd never visited a pink castle before, so it was a no-brainer when we saw a picture of this one!
Before we begin, this is a castle of two halves. In 1626, a shrewd international trader, William Forbes (aka "Danzig Willy"), finished work on a seven storey castle that was based upon a partially completed building that he'd bought from the impoverished Mortimer family in 1610.
First things first, though. As it was advertised as "no advance booking required", on arrival we opted for a little light refreshment and, even though it was alcohol free, that ginger beer really hit the spot! Afterwards, we went to enter the castle, only to be told: "Oh, no. You don't need to book in advance, but we're only allowed a certain number of visitors in the building at the same time. Our next available slot is in forty-five minutes." Oh, how we laughed as we stomped away to look at the covid-neglected gardens.
A lifetime ago, I read somewhere of the "strange beauty of neglect and decay". This was to be my first real-life understanding of that perspective. The manufactured beauty remains but it can't survive against the onslaught of nature. That's been the law of the land since time beyond memory.
Anyway, back to the castle. Completed by Danzig Willy circa 1626, if we jump forward to the early 1800s we find Craigievar castle in decay and also in danger of being demolished by its then owner, Sir John Forbes. A consultation with Aberdeen city architect John Smith turned Forbes away from his original decision, Smith stating that the tower was: "one of the finest specimens in the country of the age and style in which it was built".
Around 1826, work began. Reconstruction of the whole of the top floor was completed, "the towers were altered and raised" according to Aberdeenshire Council records, hence "a tower of two halves". The dark brown decorative line running around the building indicates the extent of the original tower below, and of the fairy-tale towers above which were added in the 1800s. Next time you watch a Disney movie, take note of Disney's castle motif: Craigievar is reputed to have been the inspiration for its design.
As seems to be the norm these days, no photography is allowed inside the castle. We found the atmosphere to be very calm and welcoming, despite local beliefs that there are several ghosts lurking around, and in, the place.
There was an open air recital in full swing in the garden, and this only added to the convivial atmosphere of Craigievar. However, our sense of comfort was quickly dispelled at our next destination: Castle Fraser.