Midmar Castle facts for kids
Midmar Castle is a historic castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It was built a long time ago, in the 1500s. You can find it about 12 kilometers west of Westhill. The castle was built for a man named George Gordon of Midmar. Construction took place between 1565 and 1575. A skilled builder and architect named George Bell helped create it. Today, Midmar Castle is a very important historical site. It is protected as a category A listed building. This means it is a building of special national importance.
Castle History
The Midmar Castle you see today was not the first building on this spot. An older tower stood here before. But this first tower was destroyed in 1562. This happened during a trip by Mary, Queen of Scots. She was trying to control the powerful Earl of Huntly. George Gordon of Midmar fought in a battle called the Battle of Corrichie during this time. After the battle, he lost his lands.
Building the New Castle
Luckily, George Gordon got his lands back in 1565. After that, he hired George Bell to build a brand new castle. This is the Midmar Castle we know now. Later, in 1594, the castle was attacked again. This happened after another battle called the Battle of Glenlivet.
Changes Over Time
In 1728, a man named Alexander Grant bought Midmar Castle. He decided to change its name to Grantsfield. Starting in 1730, the castle was updated inside and out. Most of the rooms you see today were designed during this time. Some repairs were also done in 1840.
For a long time, from 1842 until 1977, no one lived in the castle. But it was still looked after. This helped keep the 18th-century rooms in good condition. Restoration work began in 1977. Since then, the castle has been a private home. It was sold in July 2011 to Tom Cross for £2.8 million. He was once the head of a company called Dana Petroleum.
Other Features
Midmar Castle also has a very old walled garden. It was built in the 1500s or 1600s. The garden walls have special holes called bee boles. These were used to keep beehives. This walled garden is also a category A listed building. There is also an 18th-century sundial on the property.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo Midmar para niños
