Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle is just a short drive from Banchory in Aberdeenshire. The castle was built in the early 16th Century by the Burnett family who lived there until quite recently. It was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland by the 13th Baronet of Leys, Major General Sir James Lauderdale Gilbert Burnett in 1951.
Crathes sits on land given to the Burnett of Leys family by Robert the Bruce in 1323. Alexander Burnett of Leys completed the castle in 1596, and built an additional wing in the 18th century. A fire damaged the east wing of the castle (in particular the Queen Anne wing) in 1966 and the National Trust for Scotland later rebuilt this in its original form. The walled gardens at Crathes Castle are as famous as the castle itself with an extensive variety of plants, shrubs and trees. The gardens are divided into eight square compartments, the four to the south being at a lower level than those to the north. In the summer the gardens provide an amazing view of the castle framed in a range of bright colours provided by the flowers in bloom. Location Crathes Castle, Banchory, Aberdeenshire, AB31 5QJ. |
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