Craigievar Castle (closed from 09/2005 to 04/2007 for restoration project)

Craigievar Castle is situated 10mi/16km further west from Castle Fraser. This delightful castle with small towers, crowstepped gables, round oriel windows, quaint conical roofs, ornamental stone cannons and a decorative zigzag console is proof that fairy tales can come true. The estate was first mentioned in documents dating from 1457 when it was owned by the Mortimer family. Work on the L-shaped tower house began at the end of the 16th century, but as a result of financial difficulties the castle had to be sold to William Forbes. "Danzig Willie" as the new owner was nicknamed had acquired his fortune from trade with the Baltic ports. Like Crathes and Castle Fraser, the towering seven-story residence is not only a symbol of authority and wealth but it also has a practical function. Wood for building was in short supply in the Highlands, so architects exploited every inch of space under one small roof. The plasterwork in the Great Hall, the huge Stuart coat-of-arms above the fireplace and the carvings on the wall paneling were created in Renaissance style. A secret flight of steps leading up to a small room above a window in the Great Hall forms a part of a complicated system of stairs within the tower.