Fyvie Castle in Aberdeenshire

Fyvie Castle is one of the loveliest castles in Aberdeenshire. With its fairytale pink visage and expansive gardens, you can really get lost in the history of this magnificent Scottish baronial fortress.

I hadn't been to Fyvie Castle in over 30 years, so it was nice to be heading back to refresh my memory and write an article for this website. My wife Janette had actually been to the castle last year as part of a Halloween murder mystery event at the castle, which she really enjoyed and hopes to attend again this year.

Join Janette and me as we explore Fyvie Castle and the garden estate on a beautiful September day.

Our visit to Fyvie Castle

Coming from the Huntly direction, the route to Fyvie Castle is down a lot of "back roadies." I was sure Google Maps was taking us a merry dance along a more scenic route, but we eventually did get to the castle. I wasn't feeling too well from the windy roads, something to keep in mind if you are travelling with children who get car sick.

Fyvie Castle car park

The road into the castle runs alongside a picturesque loch made by some of the castle's past inhabitants and then arrives at the spacious car park. The Fyvie Castle car park sits between the loch and the walled garden; there's also a lovely green with picnic tables.

 

We decided to check out the castle first; the signage directed us to follow a path directly ahead. Initially, the path leads through a lovely garden and forested section before the castle comes into view behind a final gate.

 

Arriving at Fyvie Castle

Fyvie Castle is utterly enchanting, painted in a pale rose pink. Each tower is covered in small turrets and windows with white frames... it was also flying the Scottish flag! The initial view is side-on and shows the main entrance.

The grandest view of the castle by far is at the front, at the old entrance, and the gift shop.

When we visited the castle, there happened to be a wedding, so access was only via the gift shop, the old entrance, where we flashed our National Trust for Scotland membership cards and got free access to the castle. We have been fortunate at the NTS locations and have been right on time for the tours, so we only had to wait 5 minutes!

 

 

 

 

 

Fyvie Castle Guided Tour

A tour is the only way to see the castle's interior, apart from the lovely gift shop. So if you want to see inside, book a tour.

The tour guide at Fyvie Castle was very bright and enthusiastic; she nearly gave Bob from Brodie Castle a run for his money! This tour was different from other tours I've been to in Scotland; most of the time, rooms are roped off, and photography is not allowed, but not this time.

After the tour guide explained each room, she gave us 5/10 minutes to explore the rooms fully. Nothing was out of bounds, and you could see the interesting contents of each up close. It was a refreshing change instead of being hurried to the next location.

The tour took us to many interesting areas:

• A large circular staircase which showcases arms and armour.

• The Dining Room.

• The Library.

• The Charter Room.

• The Drawing Room.

• Lobbies with high ceilings and paintings.

• A spectacular events room with a grand piano.

• Two bedrooms, which once housed royal guests.

• A room containing an impressive portrait collection of Raeburn paintings.

• Other paintings by Batoni, Romney, Gainsborough, Opie, Lawrence and Hoppner also take pride of place throughout the castle.

 

 

 

 

One of the most interesting rooms was the charter room, which contained wooden panels recycled from all over the castle. Within the room was one of the famous weeping stones and the legend of a hidden room below the charter room with a curse - if the room is disturbed, the Laird of the castle will die, and his wife will go blind.

Following the tour guide, we were taken to a room containing models of Fyvie Castle throughout the years, from its medieval beginnings to its more grand baronial style seen today.

The guide on this tour was great; she gave a lot of information on castle life and the long history at Fyvie. For photographers looking to get interior photos, I would recommend you wait until the guide moves you to the next room; if you're the last person out, you can get photos clear of other tourists.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Green Lady

Fyvie Castle is considered one of the most haunted buildings in Scotland, with no less than nine recorded ghosts. The most famous is the Green Lady, who is said to have been the wife of Alexander Seaton. It's said that he cruelly starved her to death for failing to get pregnant.

Her name, "Lilias Drummond," is carved into the outside window sill of the Laird's bedroom, carved by the angry ghost when he remarried. The tour guide did show us the name carved on the window sill. Who knows how true these stories are, but no Scottish castle would be complete without a good ghost story!

Fyvie Castle Garden Estate and Walled Garden

After our fantastic tour of the castle, the wedding was starting to get into full flow, so we explored the walled garden, accessed via a gate near the car park. As we visited in September, it was coming to the end of the season for the gardens, but they were still beautiful, with many flowers blooming and the trees laden with fruit. Scottish fruits are the main focus of the garden; we saw many varieties of apples and pears.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The central area of the garden has a seating area and toilets on the south side.

Leaving the walled garden, we took a short walk through the car park to visit the small loch. This area is more wild but lovely. We saw ducks and swans from the lochside path. Ospreys occasionally visit, but September was the wrong season for them. It's possible to see red squirrels, toads/frogs, swifts and foxes.

 

 

 

A Brief History of Fyvie Castle

1211 - The earliest parts of Fyvie Castle were built, possibly by William the Lion.

Unknown Date in the 13th Century - Robert the Bruce held an open-air court at Fyvie Castle.

Unknown Date during Charles I's Childhood - Charles I lived at Fyvie Castle.

1390 - Following the Battle of Otterburn, Fyvie Castle ceased to be a royal stronghold. Five successive families, Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Leith families would add their own additions to the castle, including many of the towers seen today.

Between 1390 and 1433 - The Preston Tower, the oldest tower, was constructed.

1599 - The Seton Tower, which forms the entrance, was erected by Alexander Seton.

Shortly After 1599 - Alexander Seton commissioned the great processional staircase.

28th of October 1644 - Manus O'Cahan and Montrose had a successful minor battle against the Covenant Army at Fyvie Castle.

1650 to 1652 - Anne Halkett stayed at the castle, treated wounded soldiers and illnesses of locals, and negotiated with English military officials.

1778 - The Gordon Tower was built.

1768 - Evidence of a walled garden to the west of the castle appears on an estate plan.

1885 - Scottish industrialist Alexander Leith (later Baron Leith of Fyvie) purchased the castle.

1890 - The Leith Tower was added.

1984 - Descendants of Alexander Leith sold Fyvie Castle to the National Trust for Scotland.

2011 - The battlefield of the 1644 skirmish was added to the Inventory of Historic Battlefields in Scotland.

Visitor Information

Opening times:

Castle, shop and tearoom:
4th of Sep - 31st of Oct, Thu-Sun, 10.30-16.30.
1st of Nov - 31st of Mar 2024, closed.

Grounds and garden:
1st of Jan - 31st of Dec, daily, 09.00-dusk.

Address: Fyvie, Turrif, AB53 8JS

Contact details:

Telephone: 01651 891266
Email address: fyvie@nts.org.uk

Entry prices:

Adult - £15.50
Family - £35.00
One adult family - £30.00
Concession - £12.00
Young Scot - £1.00

National Trust for Scotland members get free access and tour.

Location links:

Fyvie Castle on Google Maps
What3words: ///magpie.pulses.chucked

FAQs on Fyvie Castle

Here are a few frequently asked questions about Fyvie Castle.

How to get to Fyvie Castle

Here are some directions from Huntly and Aberdeen.

From Huntly (21 miles):

1. Leave Huntly, travelling east on the A96.

2. A short distance after Morgan McVeighs on your right, take a left along the A920.

3. Take a left, following the sign to Rothienorman.

4. Turn right within Rothienorman, following Main Street and then Fyvie Road.

5. Follow this road until you arrive at the A947. Cross the A947 joining the B9005.

6. Follow step 6 in the Aberdeen directions below.

From Aberdeen (26 miles):

1. Leave Aberdeen heading north along the B999.

2. Turn left following signs for New Macher on the B979.

3. At New Macher, turn right, heading north on the A947 to Old Meldrum.

4. Pass through Old Meldrum, travelling north, staying on the A947.

5. After some distance, look for a right turn to Fyvie Castle on the B9005, marked by a brown tourism sign.

6. Keep left and pass the war memorial.

7. Look for the left turn a short distance past the war memorial.

8. Follow the minor road until you arrive at the entrance of the castle grounds directly ahead.

Fyvie Castle on Google Maps
What3words: ///magpie.pulses.chucked

Can you stay at the Fyvie Castle?

Yes, an 8-bedroom apartment is available in the Preston Tower. It's self-catering with accommodation for up to 16 guests.

Who owns Fyvie Castle?

When the castle was put on the open market in 1982, it was purchased by the National Trust for Scotland, which maintains and operates it today.

Who lived in Fyvie Castle?

The most famous occupant was Charles I, who spent part of his childhood there in the early 1600s. The Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Leith families also lived at the castle over its long history.

How big is Fyvie Estate?

The Fyvie Estate is 4500 acres / 7 square miles big.

Is Fyvie Castle dog-friendly?

Dogs are only permitted on the castle grounds, not within the castle itself.

Is Fyvie Castle suitable for children?

Fyvie Castle is a brilliant place to take children, but no play park or dedicated children's activities exist. At other castles, for example, Culzean Castle had a "find the Lego character" challenge, but there was nothing to keep small children's interest on the Fyvie tour.

Is there anything else near Fyvie Castle worth visiting?

Aberdeenshire has a great deal to offer to tourists:

• Macduff Aquarium

• Gight Castle

• Haddo House

• Pitmedden Gardens

• Prop of Ythsie

• Huntly Castle

• Many stone circles and standing stones.

• Golf courses in Aberdeenshire.

Key information

• Fyvie Castle is found near the small town of Fyvie in central Aberdeenshire.

• The first parts of the castle were built in 1211.

• The photos shown in this article were taken in early September.

• The only way to access the castle is via the gift shop and the guided tour.

• The grounds and walled garden seem free to visit, but please support the castle if you visit.

• Closed between November and March.

• Owned and run by The National Trust for Scotland.

• The castle has a famous ghost named "The Green Lady".

Conclusion - a magnificent Scottish baronial fortress

Our visit did not tarnish my memory of Fyvie Castle; this magnificent fortress is a wondrous building nestled in Fyvie's beautiful landscape. A visit should be high on your list for a visit while in the Aberdeenshire area.