The Pink Tower of Craigievar Castle, Scotland

Craigievar Castle is among the best preserved and the most loved castles in Scotland.

It’s said that Walt Disney used Craigievar as the model for the iconic Disney castle.

It was the seat of Clan Sempill and the Forbes family resided here for 350 years until 1963, when the property was given to the National Trust for Scotland by William Forbes-Sempill, 19th Lord Sempill.

Craigievar Castle is an excellent example of the original Scottish Baronial architecture.

The great seven-storey castle was completed in 1626 and it fits naturally amongst the rolling hills of Aberdeenshire.

Craigievar was a family home until the 1960s, creating a quirky blend of modern comforts and rare antiquities within the ancient walls. 

In accordance with the former owner’s wishes, artificial light has not been installed in the upper floors.

This means that the extensive collection of historic artefacts and art is seen by only the shifting light from the sun, exactly as they would have been when they were made.

Art Historians will love the Raeburns and Jamesones, and the rare survival of Jacobean woodwork in the Great Hall.

The Great Hall’s ceiling is also embellished with classical elements and heraldic symbols.

The Lady’s Withdrawing Room is also worth a mention - it’s a small room with low ceilings and wood paneling that dates to the 1800s.

This room also seems like a cozy place to be. A wooden cupboard in one corner has some really impressive inlay work.

Off the Lady’s Withdrawing Room, invisible behind a section of paneling, is a small room called the Prophet’s Chamber.

During the Reformation, a visiting priest could safely be hidden here. In any case, over the centuries any visiting priest or minister would stay in this cell-like room.

At the main staircase, you can see the coat of arms which dates back to 1668 and delivers the Forbes family motto: "Doe not vaiken sleiping dogs."

The grounds are equally bewitching with an unusual Scottish glen garden, two waymarked woodland trails, and Victorian kitchen garden.

In early summer the woodland floor glows with bluebells. Keep an eye out for red squirrels or even pine martens scurrying through the undergrowth.

One ghost residing at Craigievar Castle is supposedly a member of the Gordon Clan who fell through the tower window in the Blue Room—completely naked.

Sir John Forbes (1636-1703), also nicknamed “Red John,” attacked the Gordon fellow when he found him in bed with one of his daughters.

Being sworn enemies with the Gordon clan, Sir John found the clandestine act unforgivable and drew his sword.

Sir John backed the naked man up to the tower window. With few options, the naked Gordon could either face death by sword or by jumping through the window.

He chose the window—the 5th floor window.

Possibly, the naked Gordon hoped to survive the fall and limp back home to his clan, instead, he met his bone-splitting death.

Many visitors report hearing footsteps climbing the tower, as if the ghost of the man is trapped in a loop, doomed to repeat the final moments of his life for the rest of eternity.

Others report feeling their clothes tugged on in the Blue Room, possibly by the naked Gordon still searching for a scrap of clothing to cover himself!

The castle has excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, with hundreds of ‘five star’ reviews.

One recent visitor said: “Wonderful place. Incredible history, and supposedly a place that Walt Disney based his famous build on.

”The guide was very knowledgeable, and the tour was fascinating. Steep, and sometimes narrow, staircases, so beware if access is a challenge.”

Another person added: “Had an excellent guided tour on Sunday afternoon by National Trust at Craigievar Castle.

All staff were very helpful and knowledgeable about the history of the castle. We were members when the kids were younger, and have now joined again as annual members, kids all grown up!”

Craigievar Castle is 6 miles south of Alford, 15 miles north-west of Banchory and 26 miles west of Aberdeen.

The entrance and main drive are signposted off the A980 (Alford to Banchory road), be aware that there is no direct public transport to the castle.

There are bus services to Alford, Lumphanan and Aboyne, from where you can then take a taxi to Craigievar. It is advisable to pre-arrange the taxi for both directions.

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