Banchory - Crathes Castle

Follow the A93 westward and after 3mi/4.8km the home of the Burnett family will come into view. It is now run by the National Trust for Scotland. Crathes Castle is a classic example of Scottish baronial style. The tower house with its small oriel windows, pretty corner towers and windows of varying sizes and surrounding ledges was begun in 1553 by Alexander Burnard (later Burnett) and his wife Janet Hamilton. Their initials can be made out above the original entrance door on the east front. The plans for the L-shaped complex, which was completed in 1596, were once again supplied by the local Bell family, who are also linked with Midmar, Craigievar and Castle Fraser. While issues of defense preoccupied earlier owners, the 16th century building clearly reflects the residents' aesthetic concerns and issues of prestige. In the 18th century the need for greater comfort led to the construction of an extension. This was burnt down in 1966 but has been rebuilt and restored to its original condition. The entrance to the castle is in the restored Queen Anne wing. The castle's upper stories are worth a tour, if only for a glimpse of the beautifully painted wooden ceilings (1600). They were painted by local artists after the panels had been fitted. The figures depicted in the Room of the Nine Nobles - typical of the decorative work of the time - are the ancient heroes (Hector, Julius Caesar and Alexander the Great), three Old Testament characters (David, Jesse and Judas Maccabaeus) and three famous rulers (King Arthur, Charlemagne and Godfrey de Bouillon). The legendary ghost of Crathes is said to haunt the Green Lady's Room, where the ceiling is also painted decoratively. Nine muses dancing and playing music are depicted in the old Music Room, together with the Five Virtues. In the same room the great Gobelin-style tapestry on the wall was the work of William Morris ca. 1868, while the Muses Room contains a Thompson chair, complete with the tiny wooden mouse which is found on all pieces from the Yorkshire furniture designers. Unique to Scotland is the Long Gallery (ca. 1620) which runs the full width of the top floor. The oak panels with royal coats-of-arms plus those belonging to the family are the only ones of their kind in Scotland.