The Bonnie Fairytale looking Craigievar Castle is an L Plan building, though built upwards instead of sideways. With its striking turrets, towers, cupolas, gargoyles and corbelling, it is a splendid example of Scottish Baronial architecture and remains largely unspoiled. Its pink colour adds to its charm, whilst the seven storey height gives it an air of magnificence.

CraigievarCastle

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The History Of Craigievar Castle

The Castle was named after a nearby hill.

The original Craigievar Castle was built sometime in the 14th Century and owned by the Mortimer family. Though the building of the Castle was never finished and the family was forced to sell the building and land to William Forbes of Menie in 1610 due to financial troubles.

Building of the Castle as it appears today commenced in 1610 and in 1626 The Great Tower was built by William Forbes (nicknamed Danzig Willie). From then it had been lived in by the Forbes and Forbes-Sempill family.

Craigievar Castle was bought by a consortium in 1963 from the Forbes-Sempill family and donated to The National Trust For Scotland in 1963

Tour Of Craigievar Castle

Touring the Castle is timed and organised by guides who take you from each room, describing points of interest and history. Some of the stairs are quite narrow and steep.

The Great Hall is the central attraction of the Castle, with its secret staircase, musician's gallery and large fireplace with the Stuart Arms.

There still survives a collection of family portraits and furniture dating back to the 17th Century. Original painted ceilings remain remarkably preserved.

Visitors can travel the secret staircase of the Laird which was used as an escape route from The Hall to the top of the Tower.

At the main staircase you can see the coat of arms which dates back to 1668 and delivers the Forbes family motto: "Doe not vaiken sleiping dogs."

Take note of the only entrance and how narrow it and the staircase are - though many a Forbes family member entered the Castle by the door - they all left by a window as it was too narrow a building to carry a coffin out! Though this only entrance did make the Castle easier to defend and Craigievar Castle never fell in battle, even during the fiercest clan attacks.

There is a small car park. Unfortunately Craigievar Castle is not open for tour buses due to the limited access around the Castle.

Toilets are situated by the car park.

Beside the car park is a small picnic area with benches and seats. Behind this is a marked woodland walk.

How To Get To Craigievar Castle

From Aberdeen take the A944 then join the A980.

Contact Address, Telephone Number and Website Of Craigievar Castle

Craigievar Castle
Alford
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
AB33 8JF

Tel: (01339) 883635
National Trust For Scotland

Aberdeenshire Hotels:

Hilton Aberdeen Treetops Hotel.

Macdonald Ardoe House, Aberdeen.

Hilton Craigendarroch Hotel.

More Scottish Castles.

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How We Built Britain - Craigievar Castle

On Sunday 17 June 2007 at 9pm there was a TV programme called How We Built Britain on BBC 1. The television documentary was presented by David Dimbleby and this edition was filmed in Scotland and the presenter was in Scotland. Part of this was from the tower house of Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire. David Dimbleby toured the castle and showed the viewer the rooms of Craigievar Castle which included the doorway to the secret staircase.

During the Scottish edition of How We Built Britain with David Dimbleby he also went to Kinross House, the tenements of Glasgow, Stirling Castle, Dunrobin Castle, Slains Castle, Crovie and Aberdeen City where he visited the many granite buildings including Marschall College.

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Craigievar Castle near Alford closed from October 2007 until an estimated date of early 2009 so that the castle walls can be re-harled. During this essential maintenance scaffolding will encompass Craigievar Castle whilst the re-harling takes place. Though a new cement based mix was added to the outside of the Craigievar Castle walls in the 1970s this has not allowed the moisture to escape naturally and caused a spot of damp. Workman and craftsmen will now use traditional methods.

The Craigievar Castle gardens will remain open and have expanded in the form of a nature trail and new paths around Craigievar Castle. These were opened by the pupils of Craigievar Primary School during their eco-health week. Other recent work on the exterior of Craigievar Castle include National Trust for Scotland (NTS) volunteer teams restoring the walled gardens. This included adding a summerhouse that looks like a pavilion. This was built in memory of Callum Melville a local 21 year old who died in a Tasmanian hostel blaze on New Year Day 2004.

Events at Craigievar Castle

The following events take place at Craigievar castle:

Jack and the Beanstalk Open Air Children's Theatre

Craigievar Castle will be hosting a Chapterhouse Theatre Company open air performance of Jack and the Beanstalk on Wednesday 15 August 2007 at 7pm.

Children and adults are encouraged to come along dressed in their favourite fairy tale fancy dress with their favourite teddy bear. People who do come dressed up can take part in the fairy tale parade which takes place during the show and get a taste of fame! This wonderful new production of the much loved family fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk combines tradition with a magical, musical show. It will enchant children of all ages with plenty to keep the grown ups entertained as well.

Tickets to the Jack and the Beanstalk open air children's theatre show and further information can be bought from the box office by calling (013398) 83635. Prices are £10 for adults and £6 for children or a family ticket can be bought for £30 for two adults and two children.

Those attending the show will need to bring their own rug or low backed seat. Midge spray or lotion is recommended! The Craigievar Castle grounds will be open from 6pm for those wishing to enjoy their picnic.

Jack and the Beanstalk is directed by Andrew McWilliams and the music is composed by Bryan Nevin and Richard Main. Chapterhouse Theatre Company perform their garden theatre season throughout Scotland and the rest of the UK and Ireland and have had great reviews which include:

Don’t miss the perfect evening - Daily Express.

A fairy tale eveningDundee Courier

They are now in their eighth season and previous performances have included Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Twelfth Night Romeo and Juliet and Much Ado About Nothing together with performances of classic works such as The Mystery Plays and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Other locations where Chapterhouse Theatre Company have performed include Alnwick Castle, Exbury Gardens and Hopetoun House. For more information about Chapterhouse Theatre Company or for tickets for competitions and press reviews, interviews with directors or the actors or details for specific venues please contact Samantha on 01522 569222 or visit www.chapterhouse.org