Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire Scotland

Castle Fraser Scotland

Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire, Grampian, Scotland is a Z plan castle which has had a French influence upon its construction. The central oblong block building is surrounded by two towers at diagonally opposite angles. The Z plan construction of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire is also known as three stepped and a Scottish Baronial Tower House. This was known as the Scoto French style of architecture and can also be seen in other Scottish castles such as Glamis Castle and fellow Aberdeenshire castles such as Fyvie Castle. Though it would be more accurate to describe Castle Fraser Scotland as a tower house rather than a French chateau.

The architect of Castle Fraser was I Bel who was an Aberdonian master mason. His name can be seen to this day in the North side of the castle. The Bels were a family of master masons and designers and the father, George Bel, was thought to have designed Midmar Castle whilst his son, David, designed Pitfichie Castle. His other son John, also known by the initial I, was the designer of Castle Fraser. It is also thought that John I Bel also designed other Aberdeenshire castles such as Crathes Castle, Craigievar Castle, the old Castle of Cluny (no longer in existence) and the extension of Drum Castle built after 1619.

Balloon Flights Over Castle Fraser

Balloon Flights over Castle Fraser - the ideal way to see Castle Fraser, the grounds and the stunning Aberdeenshire countryside. The balloon flight over Castle Fraser Scotland provides a unique photograph opportunity. Enjoy a glass of champagne before your hot air balloon flight with your fellow passengers or book as a group. More information.

Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire was well situated and commands stunning views across the Aberdeenshire countryside. This includes the Mither Tap of Bennachie Hill and the Don river. Castle Fraser sits in the Parish of Cluny within the margin of the Kemnay Basin. The location and construction of Fraser Castle Aberdeenshire allowed it to be easily defended against attackers and unwelcome visitors. Access to Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire is still to this date via a long avenue. This gives visitors some great views of Castle Fraser and the estate. The woodland park that surrounds Castle Fraser is called policies and is a common Scots word to describes a park that surrounds a country house. Each face of the Z plan building contained gunloops either in each of the towers or main block. There was an old parapet but this became a pack saddle roof. The rounds of the roof were rebuilt to become turrets with gableted helmets and points.

Access to Castle Fraser Scotland is from the North and this leads visitors through the gateway and into the courtyard. The two storey wings are now seen along with the central block which measures 54 feet by 30 ft and 10 inches. The Michael Tower is 31 ft square whilst the Round Tower of the South East is about 28 ft in diameter. The diagonal length of Castle Fraser is 100 ft.

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Disabled Access

Due to the historic features of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire there is limited disabled access. However the National Trust for Scotland have introduced in 2011 some new features that will be of great help for those with a disability that makes climbing the narrow 16th Century staircases difficult. These new features include a digital screen which gives visitors the opportunity to see the upstairs rooms of Castle Fraser and the opportunity to view a special iPad application that allows disabled visitors to Castle Fraser to view a 360 degree view taken from the Castle Fraser Tower.

Rendering

Some of the most beautiful rendering at Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire includes the Arms of Fraser of Muchall. Above this is the Royal Arms of the United Kingdom. The base has a tablet which reads I Bel dated 1617 with a heart shape lying on its side. This was Bell's sign manual and stood for John Bell the mason made me. It is thought that these coats of arms were carved by the same craftsman who created the stunning fireplace at Huntly Castle. The stone is thought to be either Strathbogie or Delgatie freestone.

Castle Fraser Scotland

The dormer window head at the West of the great armorial frontispiece is a tribute to the first Lord Fraser, Andrew Fraser, who married Lady Elizabeth Douglas in 1592. She was the daughter of the Earl of Buchan. The dormers contain a monogram of the initial letters of their names EAFD, a heart and the date of 1618. There is also a fraise and the strawberry emblem.

Turrets

The five rounded turrets are thought to have been created to reduce the number of crow steps on the roof gables, particularly the larger corner turrets. Between the turrets is the large chimney stacks.

turrets

Cornice

The cornice has been described as pseudo machicolated and an embattled parapet with the embrasures being developed into dormer windows. Decoration is in the form of projecting cannon rather than traditional gargoyles. Further up from the cornice the round tower rises for three more storeys. This is then finished off with a corbel table and balustrade. An ogee roofed cap house turret can be seen which houses a staircase.

Platform

Another feature of the roof of Castle Fraser Scotland is the platform area and would have been used as a private area to sit out in or to observe the surrounding area. This area houses the flag pole and flag.

castle parapet

Entrance Courtyard

Back to ground level as one faces Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire the two original low wings built by 1636 still enclose the entrance courtyard. These are known as Laigh Biggins and were built, though on a larger scale, much like Castle Midmar. These consisted of the kitchen, bakehouse, brewhouse and quarters for the servants. At the time there was few trees in the estate and the first Lord Fraser had to import pine from Norway to floor the upper floors.

The arched entrance is the original construction and is found at the East face of the Michael Tower. Sadly two of the three armorial stones are long gone, though the upper stone is well preserved. The largest one would have been the lowest stone and this would have displayed the arms of Michael Fraser and Isobel, his wife. Isobel was the daughter of Duncan Forbes of Monymusk. The middle stone is now situated in the South front. This displayed the Royal Arms which were permitted to be displayed because the Baron was a tenant in chief of King James VI. It dates back to the year 1576. The remaining stone which can still be seen in its original place is the Arma Christi stone. It depicts an angel that is carrying a shield bearing the five wounds of Jesus Christ. Beneath is a scroll with the letters AR CH.
From the entrance courtyard there are stair circles on the right which lead to the first floor whilst the entrance passage continues to the left. The kitchen can be found in the Michael Tower and there is a large arched fireplace. The cellar can be found on the ground floor. When Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire was used as a residence there would have been service stairs running between the wine cellars and the hall. These are now blocked. The third stairs in the gorge wall of the round tower lead to the third floor.

Fraser Castle

Entrance Hall

The entrance hall to Castle Fraser Scotland is not the original area and was first used in the 18th Century. It used to lead to a double staircase though this was demolished years ago.

Objects of note include a 19th Century wheelchair that belonged to Colonel Mackenzie Fraser. He was born in 1792 and lost a leg at the siege of Burgos on 23 September 1812 whilst fighting for the Duke of Wellington in Spain whilst a Captain in the Coldstream Guards, aged 20 years. His first wound was to his head from a musket shot fired at Colonel Fraser during the storming of the Castle of Burgos. His life was saved by the cockade, a folded silk handkerchief in his hat. He narrowly escaped death when the musket shot pushed its way through the velvet cover, the hat and the lining and stopped close to his head. The hat can be seen in the Dining Room. As the battle progressed Colonel Fraser was shot in the knee and the musket ball was retained inside his leg. Despite the best efforts of the Doctor of the 3rd Regiment of Guards, which included treatment by bleeding and leeches, his leg was amputated six weeks later, on the 4 November, when it failed to heal.

He returned home and led a full life as Laird, never allowing his wooden leg and disability to interfere with his duties. He married, became an MP for Ross and Cromarty and was appointed a Colonel of the Ross-shire Militia, a post he held for 56 years. Col Fraser died in 1871. The oak refectory table is 17th Century whilst the oak cupboard is 19th Century Dutch furniture.

Kitchen

The builder of the kitchen at Castle Fraser Scotland was Michael Fraser and the kitchen is named after him, as is the tower. It is still known as either the Michael Kitchen or the Michael Tower. As you enter the kitchen the brick oven can be seen to the right. Most of the kitchen equipment dates back to the 19th Century. There are some old kitchen implements and equipment which includes a griddle which was ideal for making Scottish drop scones. a grooved rolling pin for oatcakes and a crood mill for the delicious soft crowdie cheese. The original iron yett with wooden draw bar can be seen in the Castle Fraser kitchen by the foot of the staircase. This is where the original entrance doorway would have been.

Staircase

The main staircase of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire leads to the Great Hall. It is five feet wide. There is also access to the ante room of the Michael Tower on the right. The stairhead newel is enriched with a double band of light coloured cable ornament wrought granite from Leschangie Hill.

Castle Photo

Ante Room

The original function of the Ante Room was as a hall until a junction was built between the Tower and Great Hall. The Ante Room then became a withdrawing room for the Laird of Castle Fraser and his family. There is another oak table and this is a Jacobean piece from Dunecht. An oval portrait is that of the Old Pretender Prince James Francis Edward Stuart. Other pieces of furniture include walnut elbow chairs from the 17th Century, two beech carved Stuart style chairs, an 18th Century oak press and a pony hide covered travelling trunk.

The Great Hall

The Great Hall of Castle Fraser Scotland measures 37 feet in length and is 21 feet in breadth. The height of the Great Hall is 19 feet at the crown of the barrel vault. The fireplace sits at the East gable and measures 9 feet 7 inches wide and 4 feet 11inches deep. It is an original fireplace dating back to the 16th Century. There are three large windows set in the arched recesses of the South wall. In the 1950s a small square window between them was uncovered to demonstrate the original fenestration of Castle Fraser.

In the floor of the south west window is a trap door. This would have lead to the servants staircase.

The iron chest used by Ann Udny who married William Fraser is on display.

Laird's Bedroom

The Laird's Bedroom is also known as the Worked Room and can be found in the second floor. Within is a wall closet and another smaller closet set in the stone floor. This is more a vaulted chamber of 6 ft by 3 ft and 6 ft high and this cell is accessed by a hatch that measures 15 by 12 inches. It is known as the Laird's Lug.

Laird's Lug

The Laird's Lug is hidden in the Great Hall. This was thought by James Skene of Rubislaw to be an eavesdropping device also known as the listening chamber. This feature is thought to have allowed the Laird to hide and listen into private conversations. Though some think it has been romanticised by authors and is merely a repository for charters, family papers and valuable pieces. Whatever is believed it should be said that conversations, even whispered, from the Great Hall can be heard perfectly from the stone seat. Sir Walter Scott wrote about a Laird's Lug in his 1822 novel The Fortunes of Nigel. Though it was called a Dionysius Ear and was housed in the Tower of London and used by King James VI. Though the King found it uncomfortable to sit in the ear for an hour and developed a sore back. The King ordered it to be built up.

By coincidence there is a built up doorway at Castle Fraser in the Great Hall at the North wall. This arched recess houses an iron chest which is called the Jamie Fleeman's Kist which translates to a James Fleming Chest. This historic piece of furniture is thought to have contained the dowry and trousseau of Ann Udny of Udny. In the 18th Century she married Charles Fraser of Inverallochy and Castle Fraser who was nicknamed Auld Inverallochy.

Inverurie Castle

Portraits

Portraits in the Great Hall of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire include the first Lord Fraser, Andrew, and his wife. It is not known if this is his first or second wife. The military portrait over the fireplace is that of Major General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser. He died in 1809 and never became a Laird though his son, Col Charles Mackenzie Fraser did after his great aunt Elyza died in 1814. The portrait on the South wall is Major General Mackenzie Fraser's brother in law Francis Humberston Mackenzie the Lord Seaforth and Baron Kintail. The Brahan Seer had predicted that this last male of the Seaforths would see his sons die before him and that he would become deaf and dumb. The predication came true because he became deaf when a youngster and his fourth son, William and MP for the County of Ross, died aged 23 years and this caused his father to become mute until his death six months later.

Dining Room

From the Great Hall is the Dining Room of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire. It is located in the upper storey of the East wing. Visitors can see a Victorian table laid for dinner with the Seaforth family china, silverware and glassware. A Georgian bookcase houses the Chinese export service of the Ch'ien Lung period. This dates to 1736 to 1795. The mahogany hot cupboard would have been used to keep hot bricks upon iron trivets. Plates would have been kept upon the hot bricks to keep them warm. The sideboard holds a French mantel clock made around the year 1830 by Lopin and a 18th century looking glass. The ornamental candleholders, or girandoles, are also of this era. There is an Italian mirror above the fireplace. The shot at hat that saved the life of Col Fraser mentioned earlier can be seen on the ebonised show table.

Portraits in the Dining Room include Colonel Charles Mackenzie Fraser and Jane Hay, his wife. There are also military portraits of the Duke of Wellington and General Sir Thomas Bradford who were the commanders of Colonel Fraser in the Peninsular Wars. The Colonel had 14 children and General Bradford was the godfather to one child. The bust in the Dining Room is Jane Mackenzie Fraser. The paper covered box was used by Jane Mackenzie Fraser to keep her letters.

Other items in the Dining room include a hot water urn for serving tea and a wine cooler. Ice for the wine cooler would have been obtained from the icehouse that was in the grounds of Castle Fraser. There is a French gilt clock on the sideboard which dates to around 1830.

Castle Fraser Dining Room was redecorated in 1977 by Mrs Michael Smiley.

The Smoking Room

From the Dining Room is the Smoking Room in the Round Tower. In previous centuries it would have been the laird's private room. Original access was gained by a small door to the right of the Great Hall fireplace. This entrance also allowed the Laird passage to his bed chamber and family rooms. The Smoking Room is covered in peacock wallpaper and is sometimes called The Peacock Parlour. Furniture within the Smoking Room includes a smoker's companion small birchwood stand which has a pipe rack. Regency pieces include a Rosewood centre table and a small work table. There is also an 18th Century walnut cabinet. The fire screen is embroidered and was there to put between the fire and any ladies to protect their complexion from the heat of fires.

Paintings in the Smoking Room of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire include an oil painting and four watercolours by the Aberdeen artists James Giles RSA who lived in Woodside and a portrait of King Charles I.

The Green Room

Access to the Green Room is gained by climbing the stairs of the Round Tower to the top of Castle Fraser Scotland. The Green Room has many well preserved Victorian features such as the carpet, curtains, wallpaper, bed hangings, furniture, cradle and Minton toilet set. There is another James Giles watercolour in the Green Room. It is of nearby Huntly Castle. From the Green Room it is possible to access and the platform open air area. In good weather visitors can walk around this area and see some fantastic panoramic views around Aberdeenshire. For reasons of safety it may be closed during times of rain and high winds. The Green Room is haunted and more is written about the ghost further below.

The Pink Room

Another room named after a colour is the Pink Room. This can be found on the fourth floor of the Round Tower. It was redecorated in 1981. One feature in the Pink Room is the 19th Century flat weave Scotch carpet which features modern loop pile copy.

The Worked Room

The Worked Room of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire is accessed via a passage where there are portraits of King James VI and King James I. Other portraits are the sons of King James I who were Prince Henry Frederick and Charles I. The portrait of a man holding a book is George Buchanan who was the tutor of King James VI. There are also Fraser family portraits in this passage.

The Worked Room was originally the Laird's bedchamber but renamed the Worked Room because of the 18th Century needlework bed hangings, curtains and seat furniture.

Above the fireplace of the Worked Room hangs the portrait of Miss Elyza Fraser and she used this room as a bedroom. She was born in 1734 and died in 1814. She did most of the needlework found in the Worked Room with the help of her friend and companion Miss Mary Bristow. The needlework has kept remarkably well preserved because they used vegetable dyes and the watered woollen fabric moreen. The copse to the South of Castle Fraser is named Miss Bristow's Wood in her honour. There is a granite monument in pyramid shape which bears the inscription:

Sacred to the memory of a friendship which subsisted forty years. Elyza Fraser erects this monument in the groves planted by her late lamented friend.

There is also a Latin inscription and it translates as:

Farewell. Alas, how much less is the society of others than the memory of thee.

Upon her death her heir Charles Mackenzie Fraser added an inscription in honour of his aunt.

Other portraits in the Worked Room of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire include a portrait of her sister Martha who married Colin Mackenzie of Kilcoy, an engraving of their second son General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser and James Byres of Tonley a friend of Miss Elyza Fraser.

The Regency breakfast table has a Chinese famille rose punchbowl.

Leaving the Worked Room brings visitors to Fraser Castle to the China Room that contains the castle's collection of China pieces. This includes a collection of frog mugs which were donated to the NTS by Mrs Halvard Braekstad.

The next room is a trophy room with collections of stuffed animals such as a falcon, deer antlers and heads. There are also many stuffed dogs which are thought to have been pets of Colonel Frederick Mackenzie Fraser.

Chapel

There are several rooms located in the Michael Tower. These tower rooms are found on the second floor and are both vaulted. The smallest room is thought to have been a private Chapel, Oratory or used for private prayer. It is located beneath the sculptured panel of the Arma Christi on the outside wall. There is an aumbry much like the Church would have used to keep the Holy Communion items and a 16th Century oak roundel. This is carved with the Agnus Dei, the Paschal Lamb. There is a hinged board on the floor that was thought to have led to a secret passage in the chimney and led to the Michael Kitchen.

There is a painting of the Virgin Mary and Child in the Chapel of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire. The French armoire wardrobe is thought to originate from Normandy.

Priest's Room

A larger room to the West of Michael Tower is thought to have been a Priest's Room. Some historians think it may have been a room used as an office by the Bailiff of Lord Fraser. He would have overseen the running of the Fraser estate, paid workers in the office and kept his records in this small room. A feature of the Priest Room is a peephole that looks down to the Great Hall. This had been covered over for many years but was uncovered in 1940 during renovation work. Calculations written on a wall by 17th Century workmen were uncovered at the same time. Furniture in the Priest's Room include two stools from the Stuart era, a Flemish cabinet and a Jacobean oak table.

The ceiling boss has three fraizes or strawberries which are the emblem of the Fraser family. They also have the initials of Michael Fraser.

Library

The Library in Castle Fraser was created from two existing rooms. It was designed by John Smith an architect in Aberdeen who was nicknamed Tudor Johnnie. The bookcases date back to 1839 and the wallpaper is original from the same year. The Persian carpet is from the region of Herat.

When the National Trust for Scotland took ownership of Fraser Castle they discovered some 18th and 19th century printed music sheets. The NTS organise concerts using this music in the Great Hall.

There is a cast iron stove in the Library. Above it is a portrait of a young Charles Mackenzie Fraser painted by Henry Raeburn. This painting was donated to the National Trust for Scotland by Mr D S Bowser.

The longcase clock was made by Thomas Stone of London. The two lead balls that hit Colonel Charles Mackenzie Fraser at the battle for the castle of Burgos are on display and his wooden leg can be seen in the wall cupboard.

The games table is for playing the 18th century game Trou Madame.

History of Castle Fraser

The history of Castle Fraser Scotland can be traced back to when the land was intended as an estate for the Frasers of Muchall-in-Mar. The Frasers of Frizels came from the Anjou province in France hence why their emblem is a Freze strawberry shape. It is thought that they came to Britain with Henry II of England in the late 12th Century though their surname was spelt Frasier. In time they moved to the North of England before moving to the Borders of Scotland and then the Lothians. By the 13th Century the Fraser family had an estate in Cornton in Stirlingshire.

The earliest recorded trace of the Fraser family in Aberdeenshire was in 1366 when Thomas Fraser of Cornton received a charter from William de Keith of the lands of Kinmundy. In time the family spread throughout Aberdeenshire with distinct families in Cowie, Durris and Philforth and the Frasers of Castle Fraser. There were also Frasers in the Highlands at Lovat in Inverness-shire.

Thomas Fraser, a descendant of the first Thomas Fraser, resigned the lands of Cornton. In return he received the lands of Muchall-in-Mar, Stoneywood and Kinmundy from King James II. The Fraser family prospered in Aberdeenshire and married into many leading families such as the Arbuthnotts of Arbuthnott, the Irvines of Drum, the Forbeses of Castle Forbes and Monymusk. For example Michael Fraser married Isobel Forbes.

Fraser Clan Motto

The Fraser clan motto is Je Suis Prest which translates from French to English as I am Ready.

The history of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire is divided into two thoughts about the original castle. Some think that I Bel designed and built the complete structure whilst others consider him to have built upon an original 15th Century tower and that the Michael Tower used to be a free standing building. It is thought that Thomas Leiper completed the building of Michael Tower to the third storey from 1576 and was stopped in 1588 when Michael Fraser died. When his son, Andrew, came of age and married further work is thought to have brought the structure into a Z plan castle.

The second theory about the history of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire has some substance when the gunloops of Castle Fraser are compared to the gunloops of nearby Tolquhon Castle which was designed by Thomas Leiper between the years 1587 to 1589.

The second Lord Fraser, also called Andrew, was opposed to the Laud's Liturgy prayerbook in 1637 and in 1638 he publicly supported the Covenant and their pledge to maintain the Presbyterian Church and Scotland's laws. On the 13 September 1644 the 2nd Lord Fraser led two cavalry charges against the Royalist right wing during the Battle of Aberdeen. Lord Fraser was also involved in the attacks upon Towie Barclay Castle and Turriff. The Royalists took their revenge when Montrose rode to Fraser Castle and burnt his corn fields and barns, though made no attempt to attack the castle. This took place on the 18 October 1644.

The 3rd Lord Fraser was also named Andrew and he succeeded in 1656. He lived from 1619 to 1674 and had two wives from important Highland families. These were Katherine the daughter of Lord Lovat and Lady Jean Mackenzie who was the daughter of the Earl of Seaforth. Lady Jean played an important part in the history of Castle Fraser when her husband had agreed to sell Castle Fraser Scotland to John Mour of Kermuck because the Lord Fraser had gotten into financial problems. Instead Lady Moir persuaded John Moir to buy the other family estate at Stoneywood and so the Castle and Barony of Castle Fraser was saved. As a mark of thanks Lady Jean presented John Moir with a five guinea gold piece. John Moir kept this and it remained in his family as a talisman.

In 1682 the Fraser estate was disponed to the Earl of Mar because of debt and then again the year after to John Keirie of Gogar. Fortunately Lord Fraser was able to stay in Castle Fraser. John Keirie died on 1703 and tried to buy back the lease of the estate. This was broken in 1712 when the Earl of Mar did not receive his money and disponed the estate to William Fraser of Inverallochy.

The 4th Lord Fraser was the last Lord Fraser and when he inherited Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire in 1683 the family fortunes were in decline. The same year he married Lady Marjorie Erskine who was the first daughter of the 7th Earl of Buchan. This Lord Fraser was a Jacobite and he refused to attend Parliament and in 1690 after the Jacobite collapse he surrendered to Major General Mackay at Ayr. His son was dying and Lord Fraser was permitted to return home to Castle Fraser. Two years later he was in trouble again, this time for proclaiming the exiled King James VII and II at the Cross at Fraserburgh. He received a fine of £200. In 1695 the 4th Lord Fraser took the oath and supported the Act of Union in 1707 but came out for the Old Pretender in 1715. A year later he fell to his death at the cliffs of Pennan in the Aberdeenshire coast whilst a fugitive after the failure of The '15.

After the death of the fourth Lord Fraser the castle came into the ownership of William Fraser of Inverallochy. He died in 1721 and his son, Charles inherited Castle Fraser. His nickname was Auld Inverallochy because he lived to an old age. He married Ann Udny. Her father was John Udny of Udny MP and her mother was Lady Martha whose father was the first Earl of Aberdeen.

Two of their children died in battle. Charles, the eldest son, died at Culloden in 1746. He had commanded the Fraser Regiment in support of the Young Pretender, Bonnie Prince Charlie (Prince Charles Edward Stuart). Charles survived the fighting on Culloden Moor but was wounded and found the next day by General Hawley. He ordered James Wolfe to kill Charles but he refused and an ordinary soldier killed Charles. Their other son, Simon, was to die at Quebec in 1759. By a fate in history he was under the command of General Wolfe.

Their remaining son, also called William, inherited Castle Fraser Scotland when his father died and also the estate of Udny when his uncle died. He died in 1792.

Miss Elyza Fraser

William and Ann also had two daughters. So when the son William died his sister Martha Fraser inherited the estates of Inverallochy and his other sister, Miss Elyza Fraser, inherited Castle Fraser. She remained unmarried and died aged 80 years in 1814. The arms of Miss Elyza Fraser can be seen on the south wall and dates to 1795. Building work initiated by her includes the door on the south front and enlarging the west window of the Great Hall to improve the view. Miss Elyza Fraser also improved the gardens of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire and employed the landscape gardener Thomas White to work on the estate. He planted irregular rings and clumps of trees and the now familiar curved drive that leads to the South front of Castle Fraser. He also built a dam in the burn to produce an S curved ornamental lake.

She had arranged for her nephew, General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser to inherit Fraser Castle Scotland and the estates upon her death but he died in 1809. She refused her sister's son, Charles Frederick, his inheritance because he gave her a bulldog rather than respecting her wishes for a lapdog which is why Alexander was to have been her intended heir.

When Miss Elyza Fraser died in 1814 the castle and estates were inherited by Colonel Charles Mackenzie Fraser. The mausoleum to Miss Elyza is in Cluny Churchyard and was considered the finest classical tomb in the North of Scotland. James Byres of Tonley who was a close friend designed her mausoleum. They were childhood friends and met in adulthood in Rome where Miss Elyza Fraser had been sent to avoid any family scandal because she had an infatuation about her uncle the Laird of Udny. She left James Byres a fine snuffbox, her carriage and best pair of horses in her will.

Colonel Charles Mackenzie Fraser

Between the years 1818 and 1840 Colonel Charles Mackenzie Fraser and his wife Jane made the alterations to Castle Fraser Scotland which can still be seen to modern day visitors. This included decorating the castle so that much of the 17th and 18th century decor was lost. A grand staircase was built and passages added to the two wings though these were removed in 1950 after the lead from the roof was stolen. He suspected that many of the treasures of Castle Fraser had been stolen and plundered during the last years of his aunt's life. She was bed ridden for about eight years and when he inherited the castle there were many empty picture frames in the lower floors

Colonel Charles Mackenzie Fraser and Jane were married in 1817. She was the daughter of Sir John Hay. Charles' father was Lieutenant General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser who died from Walcheren fever in 1809. His mother died at a young age and because his father was often away on military campaigns young Charles was brought up with his Aunt, Lady Gibbs, at Hayes in Kent. Her husband was Sir Vicary Gibbs who was an Attorney General and then a Lord Chief Justice.

Charles and Jane had 14 children but sadly only 3 outlived them. These were Eleanor Jane who in 1855 married the first Bishop of Gibraltar. They had three children but sadly Eleanor died at the age of 34 years when her third child was only five months old. Their other surviving daughter was Augusta Charlotte. She had five children after her marriage to Robert Drummond of Drummond's Bank in Charing Cross, London, England. Their son was Frederick who married Lady Blanche Drummond after the death of both parents. Lady Drummond was the daughter of the Earl of Perth and she died two years after their marriage. Her wedding dress is on display at Castle Fraser along with an umbrella with an inscribed handle that reads Thou shalt not steal. Frederick Mackenzie Fraser then married Theodora Lovett Darby of Leap Castle, Ireland.

Frederick did not father any children so when Colonel Frederick died in 1897 Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire was passed onto Thomas Fraser Croft Fraser at the age of seven. He was the grandson of Eleanor Jane and the Bishop and went on to become the Privy Chamberlain to the Pope and Master of Ceremonies at St Peter's. He died in 1956.

The rocking horse that they purchased for their children is still in the Castle Fraser nursery. The bridle, saddle and stirrups of the rocking horse are remarkably well preserved. Amongst the papers of Castle Fraser historians found a receipt for the rocking horse which cost £2 14s.

They installed an organ in the Great Hall which unfortunately meant that the lower portion of the Laird's Lug was destroyed. This organ was removed over a century later in 1938 and donated to St Anne's Episcopal Church in Kemnay.

Other building work by Colonel Charles Mackenzie Fraser including adding a cupola lit double staircase which led to the Great Hall, a gun room and a game larder. He also made a library on the fourth floor of Castle Fraser from two of the rooms.

Charles Mackenzie Fraser often left Fraser Castle and Jane to go on business. She would write to him and this collection of letters survived though no replies from Charles are within the collection. She was affectionately called Janey by her husband.

The author Lavinia Smiley wrote about their life at the castle in her booklet Life at Castle Fraser 150 years ago which was first published in 1978. The cover has a beautiful pencil drawing illustration by James Giles in 1829. Her account includes the servants employed at Fraser Castle with details of their wages and household purchases. Other information include the births and deaths of their children and extracts from family letters. Lavinia Smiley was the daughter of Major and Mrs Michael Smiley and granddaughter of the Hon Clive Pearson (more info below). In 1998 she published another book about Fraser Castle called The Frasers of Castle Fraser Scotland. She was able to use letters and papers left by the second wife of Colonel Frederick Mackenzie Fraser when the castle and furnishings were sold to the first 1st Viscount Cowdray before the widow of Col Fraser moved to England.

Frederick Mackenzie Fraser

The seventh son of Charles and Jane was Frederick Mackenzie Fraser who was born in 1831. He was said to be a strict master and would sack any maids caught dusting in his presence. He had installed the servants bells that can still be seen in the tearoom which were the Castle's big kitchens. Colonel Frederick Mackenzie Fraser died with no heir in 1897. There is a memorial stone in the woods of Castle Fraser which reads:

Frederick Mackenzie Fraser of the Castle Fraser and Inverallochy the last of his race to live and die in this his ancient stronghold on these lands who passed away May 19 1897 aged 66 and was laid to rest at Cluny. On the back Theodora, his second wife, added the inscription Farewell ye hills and dales - Farewell.

His first wife was Lady Blanche Drummond who died in 1874 (her ghost is said to haunt Castle Fraser) and he was survived by his second wife Theodora Lovett Darby. Theodora Mackenzie Fraser erected a plaque to his memory under the Miss Elyza window in the West gable of Castle Fraser. It reads FINIS.

The last male descendant in the line of the Fraser family was Colonel Frederick Mackenzie Fraser.

In 1922 Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire was purchased by the 1st Viscount Cowdray at auction and given to his second son the Honourable Clive Pearson. The Cowdray family earnt their fortunes from engineering round the world and took an interest in restoring old and historic Scottish buildings. The Hon. Clive Pearson employed Doctor William Kelly, an Aberdeen architect and antiquary, to undertake restoration work at Castle Fraser and this took place between 1938 and 1941. This included repairing crumbling plaster, leaks to the roofs and rotting woodwork as well as restoring many of the original features of Castle Fraser. They were given advice by the last housekeeper of the Fraser family, by then an aged lady.

Further restoration work continued between 1946 and 1955 when the castle was given to Lavinia, the daughter of the Hon. Clive Pearson. Her husband was Major Michael Smiley.

Castle Fraser

Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire was given to the National Trust for Scotland in May 1976 by Major and Mrs Michael Smiley along with an endowment and 26 acres of surrounding parkland. Mrs Smiley also donated a personal gift of the redecoration of the dining room. The NTS constructed an access road and car park and opened Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire to the public in September 1977 with the financial assistance of the Scottish Tourist Board.

In 1993 the NTS were able to purchase 320 acres of the surrounding land of Castle Fraser Scotland and develop the area for visitors.

In the China Room is a collection of China which was donated to the National Trust for Scotland by Constance, Lady Liverpool and Mrs Halvard Braekstad.

If you have a photo of Castle Fraser Scotland , the grounds or estate that I may use on this page then please contact me.

Contact Details

Castle Fraser
Sauchen
Inverurie
Aberdeenshire
AB51 7LD

Tel: +44 (0)1330 833463

Opening Times Of Castle Fraser

The opening times of Castle Fraser can be found at the National Trust for Scotland website at
www.nts.org.uk/Property/Castle-Fraser-Garden-Estate

Do consider buying the quality guide book of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire. It contains much of the history of Castle Fraser and some professional photos and images of the inside of Fraser Castle as well as some stunning pictures of the outside of Castle Fraser Scotland. The guide book also contains the family tree of the Frasers of Castle Fraser.

Castle Fraser Tearoom

The Tearoom Castle of Fraser Aberdeenshire is open the same dates as the castle. Like most National trust for Scotland tearooms it is a set menu with items such as homemade soup of the day, homemade cakes, drinks, sandwiches and baguettes. However, the tearoom at Castle Fraser Scotland also has a special hot meal of the day for under £5. The day we visited we were lucky enough to enjoy haggis, neeps and tatties, served with oatcakes and beetroot.

Castle Fraser Gardens

Garden is open year round, daily from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. It's a pleasant walk around the enclosed gardens - I was very envious of their huge vegetable patch where the skilled gardeners grew an impressive array of vegetables. Some of these can be purchased on the way out and money is placed in an honesty box. There is also a super year round display of fruits and flowers and some stunning seasonal borders.

The south facing walled garden was the creation of Colonel Charles Mackenzie Fraser and when the National Trust for Scotland became the owners of Castle Fraser in 1977 they brought the garden back to look how it would have done in Col Fraser's time. To mark the NTS owning Castle Fraser some Golden Jubilee roses were bred by James Cocker and Sons of Aberdeen. They were descendants of the 19th century gardener of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire.

Grounds are open all year round, daily from 9:30 a.m. to sunset. There are some breathtaking views and it's a pleasant walk, we took our dog along and there is a swing area for wee loafers.

Castle Fraser Costs And Prices

Free to National Trust Members - We bought a year's family pass (2 adults and 2 children or grand-children) and has free admission to National English Trust properties added - well worth it if you intend to visit over two properties or castles.
Adult, Concession, Adult group, Child or School group and Family ticket prices can be found at
www.nts.org.uk/Property/Castle-Fraser-Garden-Estate

Castle Fraser Tour

Castle Fraser Scotland is a magnificent and well-preserved Scottish baronial tower building made from the local granite. It's often called a "Z" castle due to the floor plan resembling this shape. The drive in commands a super view of the castle with it's well preserved towers and is a real joy to behold and a glimpse of treasures to come. It was built in 1575 and previous Fraser family members of the family added onto the original structure. As you enter the castle (called the Laigh Hall - meaning low) you can see the original servants staircase to the left, which was demolished during the Second World War. The Entrance Hall has a display of weaponry and serves as the payment area.

Castle Kitchen

This then leads through to the base of the tower where the original kitchen still has an impressive open fire and tools for cooking and baking.

Help Needed: If you have a photo of Castle Fraser or any of the events held there that I may use on this page then please contact me.

Laird's Lug

Up the stairs leads to The Great Hall where there is an impressive sixteenth century fireplace and the famous "Laird's Lug". This was a strong room or prison cell until Sir Walter Scott romanticised it into a hidey hole where the Laird's trusted servants would hide and listen into private conversations and plots against the Laird and report them back to him!

This room and the adjoining Dining Room display various family furniture and portraits, some of which are Raeburn's.

Smoking Room

The Smoking Room is remarkably well preserved with early nineteenth century wallpaper of peacock design that earned the room the nickname of "Peacock Parlour".

Castle Fraser Tower

Up some more dizzy inducing stairs leads to the bedrooms - named Green and Pink - before another set of stairs lead to the tower rooms and the tower. If you've a head for heights, it's well worth popping out for the breath-taking views across Deeside.

Castle Tower

Priest's Room

Working your way back to ground level will take you to The Worked Room/The Laird's bedroom and then The Chapel with a wee adjacent Bailiff's or Priest's Room which has a wee squint hole for spying on The Great hall below!

Original Name For Castle Fraser

The original name for Castle Fraser in Kemnay, near Inverurie was Muchall-in-Mar and the building work was completed in 1636. There is a mark on a panel on the northern side of the castle which is signed "I Bel". This is thought to be the mark of the master mason made during the construction of Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire. The castle was built on the lands of Muchall and retained the name Muchall in Mar until changed to Castle Fraser in 1695.

Castle Fraser Ghost Story

Legend has it that a Princess was murdered in The Green Room, and then her body was dragged down the castle stairs. Whilst there is no actual ghostie - bloodstains appear on the hearth and the stairs - and are scrubbed away - only to reappear again...
No Scottish Castle tour is complete without a Ghost Story and Fraser Castle is no exception!
There has also been ghostly piano music and voices heard in the empty hall.
Witnesses have seen the ghost of Lady Blanche Drummond who died in 1874. She appears in a long black gown.

LOOK OUT FOR...

Hunting for the wooden leg kept our wee loafers interest, as did searching for the stuffed dogs!

Book A Balloon Flight over Castle Fraser.

Castle Fraser Steam And Vintage Fair

How To Get To Castle Fraser

Directions - Castle Fraser Scotland can be found along the A944 from Aberdeen and is easily sign posted.

More Scottish Castles.

More Scottish ghost stories.

Events At Castle Fraser

The following events take place at Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire:

Castle Fraser Steam and Vintage Fair

Each year there is a steam engine and vintage vehicle fair in the grounds of Castle Fraser Scotland. In 2007 this took place on the 23 and 24 June (though sadly the Sunday event was cancelled due to heavy rain and strong wind and the fields became too dangerous for the heavy steam engines) and included entertainment from the Celebration Singers from Pinehurst North Carolina, America and the Strawberry Hill Fiddlers from New York, USA and the Scottish Fochabers Fiddlers who with the Bellie Church have hosted the entertainers. Together they brought a musical blend of guitar, fiddles, percussion and keyboard music.

There was over 28 steam engines and over 200 classic cars and vehicles which included tractors, fairground organs, stationary engines, commercial vehicles, motor bikes, steam saw mill, steam lorry and working exhibits. During the annual Castle Fraser steam and vintage fair there are stalls, kids rides, models, children's entertainment, terrier racing, dog and duck show, traditional Scottish music, the Kintore Pipe Band, special children's activity area, Royal Navy display unit and food and drink.

The timings of the Castle Fraser steam and vintage fair was from 10:30 am to 4 pm on the Saturday and Sunday. Ticket prices were £6 for an adult or a family ticket for four £15. The cost of tickets for children or OAP concession was £4. I am not sure if the ticket price included entry to Castle Fraser and shall add this info when I know. The Castle Fraser steam and vintage fair event near Kemnay is organised by the Bon Accord Steam Engine Club and sponsored by EventScotland. Details of the 2008 Castle Fraser steam and vintage fair event will be added soon.

Jousting Tournament

Another popular event at Castle Fraser Scotland is the annual two day jousting tournament. In 2007 this featured the Knights of the Damned. Other events at Castle Fraser during this weekend event are re-enactments by local groups, bird of prey displays such as falconry, sword fight displays and fireball demonstrations.

Highland Games

Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire often host Highland Games in the castle grounds. For example on Monday the 13 August 2007 there was mini Highland Games for primary 1 and 2 school children at Castle Fraser near Kemnay run by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and the Aberdeenshire Council Childcare Strategy team. These mini Highland Games included putting the stone, tossing the caber, tug o’ war and a cross country run.

Festival Players Theatre Company

The Festival Players Theatre Company often perform plays at Castle Fraser Scotland. In 2007 they performed the Shakespeare romantic comedy As You Like It on the 31 July. It was part of their UK tour where the Festival Players Theatre Company performed at 60 venues. Other Aberdeenshire locations included Pitmedden Gardens near Ellon, Craigievar Castle and Balmoral Castle. It started at 7:30 pm and tickets cost £10 for an adult whilst a child ticket price was £6. Read more at the official festivalplayers website at www.thefestivalplayers.co.uk

Noddy Tour

On Saturday and Sunday 14 and 15 July 2007 the Noddy Tour came to Castle Fraser Scotland as part of their summer tour. Children could come and see Noddy, Big ears and his Toyland friends and take part in singalongs, games, parades and other activities. Children could also have a professional photograph taken with the Noddy car or have their parents take their own photograph. Other activities on the Noddy Tour included puppet show, colouring competitions, music workshops, a fun zone, bouncy castle, soft play area and magic show. Kids who came dressed as their favourite Toyland character could win a prize. The Noddy Tour continues throughout Scotland and the UK and for ticket prices and locations see their website at www.noddytour.co.uk

Mini Beast Magic

On Sunday 13 May 2007 Aberdeenshire Castle Fraser Scotland held a Mini Beast Magic kids walk where children and accompanying adults searched or were helped to find woodland creepy crawlies.

National Caravan Club

During the weekend of 6 and 7 May 2007 the National Caravan Club held a special gathering at Castle Fraser Scotland where over 450 caravanners from throughout the UK went to Aberdeenshire Castle Fraser/ This special event was to celebrate 100 years of travelling for the NCC. Other celebrations here in the North East of Scotland included a black tie dinner and dance, church service and musical entertainment from Scottish group Strathbogie Fiddlers.

Camel Visit

In December 2006 Castle Fraser, Kemnay, Inverurie, was visited by three camels who took part in a Christmas star pilgrimage procession. This festive pageant was a recreation of the Nativity scene and the trio of camels carried the wise men to the stable where baby Jesus was born. The courtyard of Castle Fraser had been transformed to look like the stable where the Virgin Mary gave birth to Jesus with Joseph by their side. Other members of the cast were dressed as a sheep and donkey and watched over the crib.

Castle Fraser Walks

A popular event during the summer is the Castle Fraser Walks. Each walk is organised and run by one of the staff at Castle Fraser Scotland. For example the head gardener will often take an organiser stroll around the walled garden and visitors can learn from the experts.

Bat Watch

CastleFraser host a bat watch event run by the National Trust for Scotland Rangers. Participants of the bat watch event at Castle Fraser get a spot of supper then join the NTS Rangers to walk around the grounds of Castle Fraser as the bats emerge.

Youth Festival

On the 15 September 2007 Castel Fraser Aberdeenshire hosted a free event celebrating youth festival which was part of the annual Aberdeenshire Youth Conference and Festival. Aberdeenshire Youth Forum organised the event with the aim of promoting and celebrating the work and activities of young people in Aberdeen and throughout Aberdeenshire.

As part of the youth festival children and teenagers will be treated to a variety of entertainment which will include local bands, dance groups, DJs, singers, paintballing, a bucking bronco and inflatable games.

Carol Concerts

Carol Concerts are often held at Castle Fraser each Christmas. For example in 2007 there were six performances of Carol Concerts at Castle Fraser. Each night the money raised from the Carol Concert was donated to the National Trust For Scotland (NTS). The performers at the Carol Concerts were the Aberdeen Orpheus Choir on the opening night and the last night of the six nights of Carol Concerts. The Inverurie Choral Society, City of Roses and the Granite City Chorus performed on the other Carol Concerts at Castle Fraser.

The Queen

In the film The Queen which starred Helen Mirren she played Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. There was a stag that she saved from being shot by the Royal Family hunting party but then the stag was shot by another hunting party on a neighbouring estate to Balmoral Castle. One scene showed the Queen going to the neighbouring castle to see the body of the stag with the ghillie. Borntoloaf think this part of the film was filmed at Castle Fraser.

Tartan Shorts

The Tartan Shorts road races take place at Castle Fraser, Scotland. These are two Tartan Shorts road races. The first event organised by Run 4 It is for children and is a 2.5km race that takes place at 10:30am. This is followed by the adults Tartan Shorts road race which is 5 kilometres and starts at 11am. More information and an application form for the Tartan Shorts road race can be found at the website www.Born2Run.co.uk

Most Haunted

Most Haunted, the television ghost hunting programme, came to Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire in Spring 2009 and filmed overnight for Living TV. This included Most Haunted presenter Yvette Fielding and her colleague Ciaran O'Keeffe.

Castle Fraser Ghost Hunt

A ghost hunt and walk will take place at Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire on Saturday 24 April 2010 from 8pm to 2am. Tickets cost £69 to this most haunted type ghost hunt event where it is hoped that the ghost of the princess can be contacted.

During this ghost hunt at Castle Fraser Aberdeenshire Scotland there will be an introduction from the North West Spirit Seekers paranormal team and medium, the ghost walk with their medium, a demonstration of their equipment and a medium workshop. Then participants of the ghost hunt and ghost walk can make full use of the paranormal equipment throughout the night and have the opportunity to be involved in seances and other paranormal experiments. For more information or to book a place on the Castle Fraser ghost hunt please visit. www.northwestspiritseekers.co.uk