Dating back to the 13th century, Fyvie Castle is found about a mile north of the village of Fyvie in Aberdeenshire. This stunning castle was once a royal stronghold, one of a chain of fortresses throughout medieval Scotland. The oldest part of the castle still stands today, dating from the 13th century, which houses a great wheel staircase, the finest in Scotland.
Five Towers, Five Ages
Fyvie's story is told through its five towers, each raised by a different family across the centuries — the Prestons, Meldrums, Setons, Gordons and Forbes-Leiths. William the Lion held court here in the 13th century, and later royal visitors included Robert the Bruce and a young Charles I, who spent part of his childhood within its walls. Few castles in Scotland carry quite so layered a history in quite so photogenic a setting.
Treasures Within
Inside, Fyvie holds one of Scotland's richest art collections, including the largest gathering of Raeburn portraits anywhere in the world, alongside fine tapestries, arms and armour, and elegant Edwardian interiors added by later owners. The castle's great wheel-stair is considered the finest of its kind in the country — reason enough on its own for a visit.
Grounds Worth Lingering In
Beyond the castle walls, the estate rewards a slower pace: a lochside walk, a walled garden, and grounds where the castle's turrets reflect beautifully across the water on a still day. It's an easy way to spend a few unhurried hours between rounds of golf or before dinner back at Meldrum House.
A Touch of the Otherworldly
No visit to Fyvie is complete without its ghost stories. The castle is said to be home to the Green Lady, and to carry two curses woven into its stonework — the kind of folklore that adds a shiver to an already atmospheric visit.
