Terpersie Castle facts for kids
Terpersie Castle is an old, strong house built in Scotland way back in 1561. It's located in a place called Tullynessle, in Aberdeenshire. This amazing building is considered a very important historical site, known as a 'category A listed building', which means it's protected because of its special history and architecture.
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Terpersie Castle: A Historic Scottish Home
Terpersie Castle was first known as Dalpersie House. It's a type of building called a tower house. These were popular in Scotland for families who wanted a strong home that could also protect them. It stands about 5 kilometers (about 3 miles) north-west of a town called Alford.
The Unique Z-Plan Design
Terpersie Castle is special because it's one of the earliest examples of a "Z-plan" castle. Imagine a main rectangular building with two round towers attached to opposite corners. If you look down from above, it looks a bit like the letter 'Z'! This design was smart because it allowed people inside to see and defend all sides of the castle.
The main part of Terpersie Castle is about 8.5 meters (28 feet) long and 5.5 meters (18 feet) wide. The two round towers each have a diameter of about 5.2 meters (17 feet).
A Look Back in Time: The Castle's History
The Gordon family built Terpersie Castle in 1561. Over the years, it saw many changes. In 1665, the castle was damaged by fire, but it was later fixed up and restored.
However, after 1885, the castle was left empty and fell into ruins for most of the 1900s. It wasn't until the 1980s that architects from William Cowie Partnership worked hard to bring the castle back to life. They restored it so it could be lived in again.
Important Moments at Terpersie
Terpersie Castle has been part of some interesting historical events:
- The Burning of the House: On May 16, 1645, a Sunday, a soldier named Major Baillie was leading a group of soldiers called Covenanters. They were fighting against another leader named Montrose. Major Baillie's group burned down Terpersie Castle and took things from the area around it, before another leader, Lord Balcarres, arrived.
- The Jacobite Rebellion Connection: There's a story that the Gordon family member who owned the castle in 1745 was the very last person to be punished for being part of the Jacobite Rebellion. This was a time when people fought to bring the old royal family back to the throne. It's said that a hidden spot in the castle's roof is where he was found and captured.
Terpersie Castle stands today as a reminder of Scotland's rich history and the clever ways people built their homes centuries ago.
