Crathes Castle
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Crathes Castle is a castle near Banchory in the Grampian region of Scotland.
Crathes sits on land gifted to the Burnett family by King Robert the Bruce in 1323. Construction of the current tower house of Crathes Castle was began 1553 but delayed several times during its construction due to political problems during the reign of Mary Queen of Scots. It was completed in 1596, and an additional wing added in 18th century. The castle served as the ancestral seat of the Burnetts of Leys until gifted to the National Trust for Scotland by the 13th Baronet of Leys, Sir James Burnett in 1951. A fire damaged portions of the castle (in particular the Queen Anne wing) in 1966.
The castle contains a significant collection of portraits, and original Jacobean painted ceiling survive in several rooms - the Chamber of the Muses, the Chamber of Nine Worthies and the Green Lady's Room. The last of these is said to be haunted. The ancient jewelled ivory Horn of the Leys resides in the great hall, said to have been gifted to the Burnetts along with the castle grounds in 1323.
The castle estate contains 530 acres (2.1 km²) of woodlands and fields, including nearly four acres (16,000 m²) of walled garden. Ancient topiary hedges if Irish yew dating from 1702 separate the gardens into 8 themsed areas.
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Today, Crathes and its grounds are open to tourists during the summer months. A visitors centre provides information about the castle and its surroundings.