Castle Fraser
Castle Fraser is a well-preserved elaborate five storey tower building near Inverurie, built from local granite. Castle Fraser has a Z-shaped architecture with a main rectangular building and two towers at diagonally opposing corners of the rectangle. This was a popular style of Scottish castle. The Entrance Hall has a display of weaponry. The castle was originally known as Muchall-in-Mar. The Frasers began construction in 1575 and the castle was completed in 1636. The castle stands in over 300 acres of open woodland and farmland, including a walled garden. It is now owned by the National Trust for Scotland and is open to tourists during the summer months. It can also be hired for weddings and corporate events.
The Arts
Castle Fraser has recently been used as a backdrop for some of the scenes shot in the BAFTA, Golden Globe and Academy Award winning film "The Queen", starring Helen Mirren.
Legends
Legend has it that a Princess was murdered in The Green Room, and then her body was dragged down the castle stairs leaving a trail of blood. The bloodstains could not be scrubbed away and were covered with wood panelling. It is said she still walks the castle at night and unexplained ghostly piano music has been heard in the castle at night.