Crathes Castle, near Banchory
Goblinshead |
130 Inveresk Rd Musselburgh EH21 7AY SCOTLAND |
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| One of the finest surviving castles in Scotland, Crathes Castle is a massive 16th-century tower house, square in plan. The upper storeys are adorned with much corbelling, turrets, and decoration, while the lower storeys are very plain apart from a large modern window. There is a small extension, and a large adjoining mansion has been demolished. The property was owned by the Burnetts of Leys from the 14th century, their original castle being in the now drained Loch of Leys. The jewelled ivory 'Horn of Leys' is kept at Crathes, and was given to the Burnetts in 1323 by Robert the Bruce. Around 1553, the family began to build the new castle at Crathes, but it was not completed until 1596. It passed to The National Trust for Scotland in 1951. One of the chambers, the Green Lady's room, is said to be haunted. The ghost reportedly first appeared in the 18th century, and is seen crossing the chamber, with a baby in her arms, to disappear at the fireplace. The young woman seems to have been a daughter of the then laird, and had been dallying with a servant. It appears that she was murdered to hide her pregnancy. A skeleton of a baby was reportedly found by workmen under the hearthstone. The spectre is said to have been seen many times. Many rooms, some with original painted ceilings. Collections of portraits and furniture. Grounds. Walled garden, consisting of eight separate gardens with unusual plants. Children's adventure playground. Disabled access to ground floor of castle and grounds; WC. |
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Fax: +44 (0)
131 653 6566 Tel: +44 (0) 131 665 2894
email:goblinshead@sol.co.uk
Text copyright of
Goblinshead
Coding and layout copyright Scotland
2000
