Crathes Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crathes Castle |
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| Part of Aberdeenshire | |
| Near Banchory, Aberdeenshire, Scotland | |
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 Crathes Castle
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| Coordinates | 57°03′41″N 2°26′24″W / 57.061483°N 2.439917°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site history | |
| Built | 16th century |
Crathes Castle (pronounced KRATH-iss) is a beautiful old castle built in the 16th century. You can find it near Banchory in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. This castle, covered in a special plaster called harl, was built by the Burnett family of Leys. They owned it for almost 400 years! Today, the National Trust for Scotland looks after the castle and its large grounds. It is open for everyone to visit.
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History of Crathes Castle
Crathes Castle stands on land that was given to the Burnett family of Ley by King Robert the Bruce way back in 1323.
In the 14th and 15th centuries, the Burnetts of Leys first built a wooden fort. This fort was on an island they made in the middle of a nearby bog. This type of fort, called a crannog, was a common way to protect places in the Late Middle Ages.
Building the Stone Castle
Work on the stone tower house we see today, Crathes Castle, started in 1553. However, building was stopped several times. This was because of political problems during the time of Mary, Queen of Scots.
The castle was finally finished in 1596 by Alexander Burnett of Leys. Later, in the 18th century, another wing was added to the castle. Alexander Burnett, who completed Crathes, also started another big project. He began rebuilding Muchalls Castle in the early 17th century. His son, Sir Thomas Burnett, finished that work.
Changes Over Time
In 1877, Sir Robert Burnett made some big changes to the Great Hall. He added oak wood panels and fancy gilded leather. He wanted to make the castle look even older and more medieval for his New York wife, Matilda, and her guests. Robert also bought lots of new furniture, some old and some made to look old. He felt these pieces suited the castle perfectly.
In 1913, during some building work, several painted ceilings were uncovered. These ceilings had been hidden for a long time by plasterwork. They had actually been spotted in 1877 but were covered up again.
Passing to the National Trust
Crathes Castle was the home of the Burnetts of Leys family for many generations. In 1951, Sir James Burnett, 13th Baronet gave the castle to the National Trust for Scotland. Even after this, the Burnett family continued to live in the house.
In 1953, the Great Hall was changed back to its original look. Its stone walls were uncovered.
Fire at Crathes Castle
On January 6, 1966, a fire damaged parts of the castle. The "Queen Anne" wing was particularly affected.
After the fire, James Cecil Burnett, the laird (owner), could only use a small part of the service wing as his home. The belongings of Miss Jean Dodds, the National Trust representative living there, were completely destroyed. The National Trust's architect decided that the Queen Anne wing should be rebuilt to its original two-story height. The Victorian wing, however, was completely taken down.
The insurance company paid £65,000 for the damage. Half of this money was used to build a new house for the Burnett family, separate from the castle.
Inside the Castle
The castle has many interesting things inside. You can see a large collection of old portraits. Some rooms have amazing original Scottish renaissance painted ceilings. These include the Chamber of the Muses, the Chamber of Nine Worthies, and the Green Lady's Room. These ceilings are examples of Jacobean style.
You can also see some original furniture that is still in the house. This includes a beautifully carved bed and two special chairs called caquetoire chairs. These chairs date back to 1597 and even have the initials and family symbols of the original owners.
Gardens and Grounds
The castle estate is very large, covering about 240 hectares (593 acres). It includes 530 acres of woodlands and fields. There is also a beautiful walled garden that is nearly 4 acres in size.
Exploring the Walled Garden
Inside the walled garden, you'll find gravel paths and many different kinds of plants. These plants are mostly in colorful flower borders. Many of them have labels that tell you their scientific names. There's also a grassy area for playing croquet on a higher level within the garden.
One of the most famous features of the garden is its ancient topiary hedges. These hedges are made of Irish yew trees and were planted in 1702! They divide the gardens into eight different themed areas, each with its own unique feel. Crathes Castle and its grounds are open to visitors all year round. There's a visitor center to help you learn more, a tea shop for snacks, and a car park.
Ancient Calendar Discovery
In 2004, during some digging at the castle, a series of old pits were found. Experts believe these pits date back about 10,000 years!
The World's Oldest Calendar
In 2013, these pits were studied more closely. Scientists now believe they are the world's oldest known lunar calendar. This calendar was used from about 8000 BC to 4000 BC. This means it is up to five thousand years older than other famous ancient time-measuring sites in Mesopotamia.
The place where this amazing discovery was made is called Warren Field. It was first spotted from the air. Unusual marks on the crops were seen by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Crathes para niños
