Scotland’s largest conservation charity, the National Trust for Scotland has announced a multi-million-pound masterplan to transform one of the country’s most significant historic sites.
Fyvie Castle, Garden and Estate, near Turriff in Aberdeenshire has its origins as a royal stronghold under King William ‘the Lion’ in the early 13th century. Famously, its ownership has passed through some of the most powerful families in Scotland over the ‘five ages of Fyvie’ – the Prestons, the Meldrums, the Setons, the Gordons and the Forbes-Leiths – before being acquired by the Trust for the nation in 1984 and being opened to the public to resounding success in 1986.
Now Fyvie is about to embark on its ‘sixth age’ as the Trust launches a masterplan that will be delivered in phases, beginning initially with essential conservation work to this historic A-listed castle and saving the B-listed, at-risk Old Home Farm complex in the estate grounds, making it ready to be transformed into a welcoming visitor hub.
This exciting work will allow public access to parts of the building, including the Victorian stables, for the first time. This first phase will also include work to the estate to improve footpaths, extend access and provide natural heritage engagement opportunities, whilst seeking to begin reducing carbon emissions and support positive climate action.
Initial conservation works at the 800-year-old castle will address critical issues such as decay to carved stonework, including the iconic 16th century finials (figures playing sports and musical instruments which stand boldly atop the turrets on the castle’s roofline).
The ambitious masterplan, which was developed with support from a design team led by conservation and regeneration specialists Page\Park architects, is expected to take at least a decade to implement in full, with the first phase completed by 2027 at a cost of circa £5 million.
The planned level of investment will necessitate major international fundraising, working with local communities, individuals and organisations with passion for Fyvie and its stories and for innovative conservation practices.
Find out more about this visionary project on the National Trust for Scotland website.
Image credit: National Trust for Scotland
