Lovat Castle facts for kids
Lovat Castle was an old castle in the Highlands of Scotland. It was located near the villages of Kirkhill and Beauly, right on the south bank of the River Beauly.
The castle was first built by the Bissets family between the 11th and 12th centuries. Back then, it was known as Beauly Castle. Later, in the 13th century, the castle became part of the Clan Fraser family. This happened when Simon Fraser married a woman from the Bissett family who was an heiress.
Today, there is nothing left of the castle. Farm buildings now stand on the site at a place called Wester Lovat. The castle was taken apart in 1671. Its stones and strong oak beams were carried across the River Beauly to be used for new buildings somewhere else.
The Castle's Story
Early Days and a Fire
Around the year 1505, there was a fire at Lovat Castle. A man named Rory Mackenzie was staying there. He was the nephew of Thomas Fraser, 2nd Lord Lovat. Rory bravely saved the important Fraser family documents from the flames.
After the fire, Thomas, Lord Lovat, made some improvements to the castle grounds. He made the orchard bigger and planted many new trees like elms, planes, and ash trees. He also had a new well dug in the castle's main courtyard.
Fortifying the Castle
Hugh Fraser, 3rd Lord Lovat was known for making Lovat Castle stronger. During the time of King James V, he added strong iron gates, called yetts, to the castle courtyard. He also put in a huge oak entrance gate.
Hugh Fraser built a wall, or "dyke," around the green area of the castle. He planted aspen trees along this wall. He also made sure to repair the castle's chapel, which was a special church dedicated to St Laurence.
A Hidden Treasure Found
In the autumn of 1634, something exciting happened at Lovat Castle. A man was cutting branches in the castle's orchard when he found an old earthenware pot. Inside the pot were gold coins and rings!
People believed this treasure belonged to Elizabeth Stewart, Countess of Arran. She was the wife of Hugh Fraser, 5th Lord Lovat. It was thought that her maid had stolen the treasure and hidden it in the orchard.
