Braemar Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Braemar Castle |
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| Braemar, Aberdeenshire, Scotland | |
Braemar Castle
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 Braemar Castle
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| Coordinates | 57°00′53″N 3°23′29″W / 57.0147°N 3.3914°W |
| Site information | |
Braemar Castle is a cool old castle located near the village of Braemar in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It belongs to the leader of the Clan Farquharson, but it is currently looked after by a local charity. You can even visit it!
Contents
The Castle's Story
Early Days and Construction
For a long time, starting in the Late Middle Ages, this area was a strong base for the Earls of Mar. The Braemar Castle you see today was built in 1628. It was constructed by John Erskine, who was the Earl of Mar at the time. He built it as a hunting lodge. He also wanted it to help control the growing power of the Farquharson family.
This new castle replaced an even older building. That older building was built after Kindrochit Castle, which dates all the way back to the 11th century. Kindrochit Castle was placed in a very important spot. It was near old paths that crossed the Grampian Mountains.
Times of Trouble and Change
Braemar Castle became a very important military base after the 1745 Jacobite rising. Before that, during the Jacobite rising of 1689, the castle was attacked and burned. This was done by John Farquharson, known as the Black Colonel. He burned it to stop government troops from using it as a base.
In 1716, the castle was taken by the Crown. This happened because the Earl of Mar led the 1715 Jacobite rising. Later, John Farquharson, 9th Laird of Invercauld, bought the castle and its lands. But the building was left in ruins for a while.
Rebuilding and Royal Visits
In 1748, the government leased the castle for £14 a year. It was then used as a base for Hanoverian troops. Rebuilding work started under the direction of John Adam. He was a master builder for the Board of Ordnance.
From 1760 to 1806, the land around the castle was used for planting trees. James Farquharson of Invercauld planted a huge number of fir and larch trees during this time.
In 1831, the soldiers left the castle. It was then returned to the Farquharson family. The 12th Laird of Invercauld began to restore it to be a family home. He even hosted Queen Victoria there! She visited when she attended the Braemar Gatherings on the castle grounds. Around 1800, Braemar Castle still had its moat around it.
Modern Day Use
The castle was even featured in the music video for Andy Stewart's song "A Scottish Soldier."
Since 2006, the castle has been leased to the local community. A local charity, Braemar Community Ltd, now runs it. Local volunteers help out, and a big restoration project has begun. The castle reopened to the public in 2008.
Castle Design
Outside the Castle
Braemar Castle is a five-story building shaped like an "L". It has a unique, star-shaped outer wall with six sharp points. There are also three-story round towers at the corners. The main tower has a round staircase inside. The castle is built from granite stone covered with a rough plaster called harl.
The main entrance still has its original iron gate, called a yett. Many of the windows are protected by heavy iron grilles.
Inside the Castle
On the ground floor, there are rooms with stone-vaulted ceilings. These rooms used to be the guardroom, the place to store ammunition, and the first kitchen. They are built into the points of the outer wall. Later, in Victorian times, a second kitchen was added next to the staff rooms. In one passage, an iron grill in the floor led to the Laird's Pit. This was a dark hole used as a dungeon.
On each of the upper floors, there is a large room and a small room in the two arms of the tower. On the first floor, you will find the Dining Room and the Morning Room. On the floor above that is the Laird's Day Room, which has a curved door. Across from it is the Rose Room. Between these two rooms is a small bathroom that was put in back in 1901.
In the main part of the castle on this level is the Drawing Room. You can still see graffiti carved into the window shutters by government soldiers. The words "John Chestnut, Sergeant, 1797" are very clear. On the third floor is the Four Poster Bedroom. On the fourth floor are the Ladies Guest Bedroom, Gentlemans Guest Bedroom, and the Principal Bedroom. The Farquharson family used these upper floors when they visited the castle in later years.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Braemar para niños
