Crathes Castle

Heritage Site in Kincardineshire

Scotland

Crathes Castle

Crathes Castle is a magnificent 16th-century tower house located in Kincardineshire, Scotland. It is a well-preserved heritage site that offers visitors a glimpse into the rich history of the region. The castle was originally built in the 16th century by the Burnett family and has remained in their ownership for over 400 years.

The castle's architecture is a stunning example of Scottish Baronial style, characterized by its turreted towers, crow-stepped gables, and intricate stone carvings. The interior of the castle is equally impressive, with beautifully decorated rooms showcasing intricate woodwork, painted ceilings, and ornate furniture. Notable features include the Great Hall, which boasts an impressive fireplace and a collection of family portraits, and the Drawing Room, adorned with 17th-century tapestries.

Surrounding the castle is a magnificent garden that spans over four acres. The garden offers a delightful mix of formal and informal planting, including vibrant flower beds, manicured lawns, and a picturesque walled garden. Visitors can explore the various themed areas within the garden, such as the rose garden, the herbaceous border, and the enchanting woodland walks.

Crathes Castle also holds historical significance as it served as a stronghold during the Scottish Reformation and the Jacobite rebellions. The castle's rich history can be further explored through its extensive collection of artifacts and historical displays.

Today, Crathes Castle is open to the public, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in its fascinating history, explore its stunning architecture, and enjoy the tranquility of its picturesque surroundings.

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Crathes Castle Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 57.058/-2.437 or Grid Reference NO7396. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Crathes Castle

Link

Sandy Gerrard

Nether Mills of Crathes

A distant view of the Nether Mills of Crathes from the Deeside Way to the north-east.

Scott Cormie

River Dee from Durris Bridge

Looking upstream of the River Dee from the A957 Durris Bridge.

Scott Cormie

Crathes village hall

Geocaching is a type of global treasure hunt of people looking for caches, or hidden stashes of objects. Geocaching may also be described as a series of hide-and-seek games, where hiders provide online clues for seekers. Seekers use global positioning system (GPS) devices to find hidden caches

Ralph Greig

Midnight Frolics

Art Trail Hare, there and everywhere! Clan Cancer Support, the north-east’s leading cancer support charity, has partnered with Wild in Art once again to bring an exciting new art trail to the north-east, Moray, Orkney and Shetland. The Big Hop Trail will take the public on another cultural tour of the north-east and the islands from July to September 2023, with hare sculptures designed and created by some of the country’s most talented artists. The trail coincides with Clan’s 40th anniversary, with the 40 hares being the focal point to celebrate the charity’s commitment to supporting people affected by cancer. We chose the hare sculpture as they are an indigenous animal found in all parts of Clan’s geography. Much like our clients during their cancer journey, hares have to navigate rough and difficult terrain in order to survive. They are also adaptable, like our services team who deliver support to anyone affected by cancer. Most importantly, hares have incredible hearing. What better way to depict our lifeline listening and support service and the importance of being heard?

Ralph Greig

Milton Park shops and cafÃ©

Ralph Greig

Ran out of tallent

Deeside Way is a 41-mile walking and cycling pat betwwen Aberdeen and Ballater in Scotland. It also forms route 195 of the National Cycle Network. Large parts of the route make use of a former railway line between Aberdeen and Ballater. As its name suggests, the route follows the route of the River Dee. For more information, see Link

Ralph Greig

Railway Crossing

Ralph Greig

Small burn feeding the River Dee

Ralph Greig

The Deeside Way

Ralph Greig

Durris Bridge over the River Dee

Ralph Greig

Crathes Signal Box

Ralph Greig

Crathes Castle, A93 Crathes, Banchory

Category A Listed 16th century tower house with mid 20th century east wing. The castle was built by Alexander Burnett and the Burnetts lived in it for over 350 years. Around 1553, the family began to build the new castle to replace their crannog in the Loch of Leys, but it was not completed until 1596 by one of the great Bell family of masons for Sir Alexander Burnett of Leys. Sir Thomas Burnett surrendered the castle peacefully to the Marquis of Montrose in 1644. The following day Montrose moved on, leaving the "captured" castle with Sir Thomas. A two-storey wing was added by the 3rd Baronet in the early 18th century, which became known as the Queen Anne Wing. In the second half of the 19th century, possibly 1894, additions were made to this wing. Both these extensions were destroyed by fire in 1966. Only the Queen Anne section was reconstructed, in 1970-72. Major-General Sir James Burnett, 13th Baronet of Leys, presented the castle and estate to the National Trust for Scotland in 1951.

Jo and Steve Turner

Scottish heraldry

Burnett (argent three holly leaves in chief vert and a hunting horn in base sable garnished and stringed gules) impaling Moncrieff (or Moncreiff) (argent a lion rampant gules a chief ermine) commemorating the marriage of Thomas Burnett (1st Baronet of Leys) and Jean Moncrieff in 1621. As seen beside the main door of Crathes Castle. For more see 'The Family of Burnett of Leys with Collateral Branches' by George Burnett, publ. 1901 (available as a download from archive.org).

Bill Harrison

Crathes castle

Tim Glover

Walking Among the Tree Tops at Go Ape

A person crossing a rope bridge between trees at the 'Go Ape' site at Crathes Castle, Aberdeenshire. Go Ape is a chain of tree climbing themed adventure parks based at various woodland sites throughout Great Britain.

Julia Tryon

Baldarroch Crematorium, Aberdeenshire, UK

The new Baldarroch crematorium building in Deeside, Aberdeenshire. At the time of the photo (2016) the building appeared very new and did not appear on the current Ordnance Survey mapping.

Andrew Tryon