Fyvie Castle
Fyvie Castle is situated in the village of Fyvie, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire. The Castle has features five towers and is a fine example of Scottish Baronial architecture. Inside the castle is a great wheel stair, a display of original arms and armour, and a fine collection of portraits. The castle was bought by the National Trust for Scotland in 1984. It is now open to tourists during the summer months.
A castle has been on the site since the 13th century, the earliest castle may have been built in 1211 by William the Lion. Most of the existing castle was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. The castle was a royal stronghold in the 13th and 14th centuries until 1390. Ownership passed to five successive families - Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Leith - each family built one of Fyvie Castle's five towers. In 1596 the castle was sold to Alexander Seton who enlarged the castle and added the upper works. Manus O'Cahan and Montrose defeated a Covenant Army in a battle at Fyvie Castle on October 28th, 1644. American industrialist Alexander Leith bought the castle in 1885. In 1982 Sir Andrew Forbes-Leith sold the castle and its contents to The National Trust for Scotland
The Arts
Fyvie Castle has appeared in a number of television shows including Most Haunted season 6 (Living TV) and Castles of Scotland (Scottish Television).
Legends
Fyvie Castle is well known for fabulous ghost stories including the ghost of Dame Lilias Drummond ("the Green Lady"). The story goes that Dame Lilias, first wife of one time castle owner Alexander Seton died after being imprisoned by her husband. On the wedding night of Alexander and his second wife, scratching sounds were heard outside their window. In the morning the words "D Lilias Drummond" were carved on the window sill, from the outside. Other ghostly stories include the finding of a skeleton of a baby (or was it a woman?) found in a fireplace (or was it behind a wall?). Search the web and you will find more of these spooky tales ...