Brodie Castle
| Brodie Castle | |
|---|---|
 Brodie Castle, showing the 16th-century tower on the left, and William Burn's extensions to the right | |
  Brodie Castle | |
| Coordinates | 57°35′54″N 3°42′32″W / 57.59833°N 3.70889°W |
| Site information | |
| Owner | National Trust for Scotland |
| Open to the public | Yes |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1567 Rebuilt in 1824-1845. |
| Demolished | Burned in 1645 |
Brodie Castle is a well-preserved Z-plan tower house located about 3.5 miles (5.5 kilometres) west of Forres, in Moray, Scotland. The castle is a Category A listed building,[1] and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.[2]
The Brodie family
[edit]The original Z-plan tower house was completed in 1567 by Clan Brodie and was partially burned by fire in 1645 by Lewis Gordon of Clan Gordon, the 3rd Marquis of Huntly. In 1824, architect William Burn was commissioned to convert it into a mansion house in the Scots Baronial style, but these additions were only partially completed and were later remodelled by James Wylson (c. 1845).[2][3]
It is widely accepted that the family has been associated with the land on which the castle stands since around 1160, when it is believed that King Malcolm IV gave the land to the family.[4]
Ninian Brodie of Brodie, the castle's last resident member of the family, died in 2003.[5] One wing of the castle is available for visitors to hire as holiday accommodation through Sykes Cottages.[citation needed]
The castle today
[edit]Architecturally, the castle has a well-preserved 16th-century central keep with two 5-storey towers on opposing corners. The interior of the castle is also well preserved, containing fine antique furniture, Oriental artefacts and impressive ceilings, largely dating from the 17th–19th centuries.
Today the castle and surrounding policies, including a national daffodil collection, are owned by the National Trust for Scotland and are open to the public throughout the year. The castle may be hired for weddings and indoor or outdoor events.
An ancient Pictish monument known as Rodney's Stone can be seen in the castle grounds.[2]
See also
[edit]- Clan Brodie
- Elizabeth Gordon, Duchess of Gordon
- List of listed buildings in Dyke And Moy, Moray
- List of castles in Scotland
- List of places in Moray
References
[edit]- ^ Historic Environment Scotland. "BRODIE CASTLE (Category A Listed Building) (LB2260)". Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ a b c Historic Environment Scotland. "BRODIE CASTLE (GDL00072)". Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ "James Wylson". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Archived from the original on 8 March 2019. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
- ^ "Brodie Castle". National Trust for Scotland. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
- ^ "Ninian Brodie Clan chief who became embroiled in family feud over sale of castle to National Trust". The Herald (Glasgow). 5 March 2003. Retrieved 28 April 2024.