Castle Menzies facts for kids
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Castle Menzies is a historic castle in Scotland. It is the ancient home of the Clan Menzies family. You can find it near the village of Weem, close to Aberfeldy in the Highlands area of Perthshire. The castle is also near where the old Weem Castle used to be, which was destroyed around 1502.
Contents
Castle History
The castle was built in the 1500s. It has a special "Z-plan" shape. For more than 500 years, it was the main home for the chiefs of the Menzies clan. Because of its important location, the castle was part of many exciting events in the Highlands.
Early Years and Important Guests
Above the original entrance, there is a special stone called a marriage stone. It was put there in 1371 by James Menzies to celebrate his marriage to Barbara Stewart. She was the daughter of John Stewart, the 3rd Earl of Atholl.
In 1598, a man named John Dow MacGregor broke into the castle to free someone from its dungeons.
Later, in 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie stayed at the castle for two nights. He was on his way to the battle of Culloden. He was a prince who wanted to become king of Scotland and England.
Changes and New Owners
In 1840, a brand new part was added to the castle. It was designed by William Burn and built using stone from the same quarry.
Between 1855 and 1858, Duleep Singh lived at Castle Menzies. He was the last maharajah (ruler) of the Sikh Empire in India. He came to live in Scotland after his time as ruler ended.
In 1878, a fire started in the castle roof. Luckily, people nearby saw it and raised the alarm. Local people worked hard to control the fire. By the time a fire engine arrived, the fire was almost out.
Selling the Castle
Sir Neil Menzies, who inherited the castle in 1903, passed away in 1910 without children. Because of this, the castle's contents were sold in 1913. In 1914, important old papers from the castle were also sold. These included a letter from Mary, Queen of Scots and a document signed by King Charles I.
The castle and its large estate were finally sold in 1918 to Francis Willey, who later became Baron Barnby. After he passed away, his wife put the estate up for sale again in 1930.
Menzies Clan Society and Restoration
The Menzies Clan Society bought the castle after 1957. They worked hard to restore the old parts of the castle. They even removed a very old wing from the 1700s that was falling apart. However, a large Victorian ballroom was kept.
The castle is a great example of how buildings changed over time. It shows a mix of old, strong fortresses and newer, less defensive 'châteaux' (fancy country houses). The walls are made of rough stone, but the corners, towers, and window frames are made of beautifully carved blue stone. This strong stone was also used for the nearby Old Kirk of Weem church, which the Menzies family built.
In 1971, the castle was named a Category A listed building, which means it's very important historically. Its grounds were also added to a list of important gardens in Scotland in 1987.
Serious restoration work began in 1972. It took almost 10 years to complete. This allowed the castle to open to the public. More money was given in 1991 to help finish restoring the Victorian west wing and create the ballroom, now called "The Dewar Room."
In 1994, the Menzies Charitable Trust was set up. This trust now looks after the castle, its walled garden, and St Cuthbert's Old Kirk of Weem.
The Chieftains Stone
In front of the castle, there is a historic lifting stone called The Chieftains Stone or Menzies Stone. It weighs 115 kilograms (about 253 pounds). It's known to be a challenge for people to lift because of its round shape and smooth surface.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo Menzies para niños
- Restoration of castles in Scotland
