Castle Fraser

This was another of the Castles we visited during our Braemar Break.

Castle Fraser claims to be the most elaborate Z shaped castle in Scotland.

Construction of the original castle started around 1575 by Michael Fraser, the 6th Laird of Fraser. The building was completed by 1636. The Master Mason, John Bell, was also involved in the building of other nearby castles like Craigievar, Crathes and Midmar.

In the late 18th Century, the castle was modernised in a classicla style, and then again in 1820 and 1850, much of the interior was reconstructed.

The castle was built for the Frasers of Muchalls. It passed then to the Lord Frasers, the Frasers of Inverallochy and then to the MacKenzie family , who took the name MackKenzie Fraser.

The last of the family, Frederick MacKenzie Fraser died childless in 1897. In 1921, his widow was forced to sell the castle due to mounting financial difficulties.

The casstle is supposed to have a ghost, a Green Lady, but there is no substance to this story.......

The grounds are extensive, there is a walled Garden, and the castle is now run by the National Trust For Scotland.

As per all such properties, photgraphy inside the castle is not permitted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_Fraser

http://www.nts.org.uk/Property/Castle-Fraser-Garden-Estate/

https://www.google.com/search?q=castle+fraser&sa=N&hl=en&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&ei=X1lsUczLIoqm0AXGj4HADg&ved=0CFkQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=809

Glenbuchat Castle

I had not been looking for this castle, but came across it by accident. We had actually set out to visit to visit Corgarff Castle, but when we reached it, the deep snow meant that it was closed due to lack of access. Last year when I tried to visit it it was closed as it was winter. Next time!

So on the way to another National Trust Property, we saw the sign to this castle.
My wife remained in the car while I  made my way up to the castle.

The whole area is called Glenbuchat and lies within the Cairngorm National Park. There are a number of ruined castles in the area which I will visit next time we are up this way.

The castle was built in 1590 for John Gordon of Cairnbrow on his marriage.
It is a Z plan castle, which means it has a main rectangular block with two smaller blocks at either end of the main block.

Although it is a ruin, there is quite a lot to see and you can imagine what it would have been like in its prime. It remained in the Gordon family until 1783.

The Gordons were supporters of the Jacobite Cause. Briefly, this was the claim of the Stuarts to the throne of Britain. Because they were Catholics, this right was taken away from them, resulting in 2 Jacobite Rebellions, one in 1715 led by James, the Old Pretender, and in 1745 by his son, Bonnie Prince Charlie...Charles Edward Stuart.

The castle was sold in 1734 and then fell into disrepair. It was purchased in 1901, and later on passed into the hands of the State. It is now looked after by Historic Scotland.

http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/strathdon/glenbuchatcastle/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenbuchat_Castle

http://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/search/images?_adv_prop=image&fr=yfp-t-702-s&va=glenbuchat+castle

http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/

road to Tomintoul and Corgarff Castle

what if you meet someone coming the other way???

Corgarff Castle in the snow

Glenbuchat Castle

we do not want our fotties tooken!!!

Balmoral Castle

On our first full day we set of from Braemar, heading towards Aberdeen. But as we passed Balmoral, we noticed that the Castle was open to the public, so that became our first stop of the day. Incidentally, the temperature that morning was -5C.

Balmoral Castle has been the Highland retreat of the Royal family since 1852.....no that was before I was born...

In 1842, Queen Victoria and her husband Albert paid their first visit to Scotland, visiting Edinburgh and Perth.
In 1848, on the advice of her doctor, Victoria and Albert puchased the lease of a little castlemin the Scottish style, at Balmorla. They had not actually seen the castle. In October they travelled to Balmoral to take possession. They were not disappointed.

After a few days they decided this was an ideal setting for a holiday home, and they began to buy the land on which the castle stood, and also the neighbouring estates as well. They spent 6 weeks here while the negotiations went on.

The central part of the castle was about 200 years old, but the previous owner, a friend of Victoria's doctor, had done some alterations.

In 1852 it was decided that more space would be needed in the castle for both family and political reasons, and it became clear that rather than enlarge the exisiting building, a new castle was the best answer. a task Albert took on with great relish. An Aberdeen architect was chosen, and in 1855 the family returned to the new Balmoral Castle, which is the building standing today. close to the site of the original castle.

Although there is only access to the Ballroom of the castle itself, the grounds are extensive and you could spend a lot of time wandering around the estate.
And it is interesting to think that in the winter, the Royal family will be walking the same paths.

http://www.balmoralcastle.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craigowan_Lodge#Craigowan_Lodge

http://www.royal.gov.uk/TheRoyalResidences/BalmoralCastle/History.aspx