Aberdeenshire HER - NO88NW0002 - FETTERESSO CASTLE

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Main Details

Primary ReferenceNO88NW0002
NameFETTERESSO CASTLE
NRHE Card No.NO88NW2
NRHE Numlink 36969
HES SM No. NULL
HES LB No. 9373
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Complete 2
Details Remains of castle/mansion, an ancient seat of the Keiths, Earls Marischal of Scotland. Called Fetteresso Palace by Bishop Leslie in 1578, the castle developed as a long block with a courtyard or close, typical of the 15th century, with a similar block to the east forming two sides of a quadrangle. The east portion was burnt by Montrose in 1645 and reconstructed in 1670-1. According to Duthie, the buildings originally had eight slender towers, but only one remained in 1865. In 1782 the castle was purchased by Admiral Robert Duff. In 1808 the castle was rebuilt incorporating the old portion, on one of the door lintels of which could be seen, in 1865, the arms of the Earl Marischal, dated 1671. (It was at this doorway that the Chevalier de St George, James Stewart, was proclaimed King James VIII on his arrival from France in 1715). Extensive towered, turreted and battlemented 3-storey mansion. L-plan with service court in re-entrant angle. Various intermediate turrets on long elevation, some enclosing stairs. There are a variety of windows, some hood-moulded, some bipartite. In January 1947 the castle was sold on the death of its last Duff laird, and was run as a guest house or private hotel until 1953. Gutted and roofless in 1954, the castle was fully restored and turned into flats 1993.
Last Update31/03/2023
Updated Byjnicholson
Compiler 
Date of Compilation13/10/1977

Google Map for NO88NW0002

National Grid Reference: NO 8425 8548



Event Details


Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact

Ecofact

Samples
Palynology
Ecofact Notes

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
CASTLES REMAINS OFA100
MANSIONS L-PLANB100
TOWERSOCTAGONAL C100
TURRETS  D100
ARCHESENTRANCEPOINTEDE100
WINDOWS BIPARTITEF100
WINDOWS MOULD-HOODEDG100