Our ‘Golden’ Summer Blog Series: Part VII- Brodie Castle
- Wee Walking Tours
- Aug 12
- 5 min read
*Join our Golden Retriever explorer, Walter, as he takes you (with his wee brother, Arthur, in tow) on a captivating journey to Brodie Castle.
Walter’s Travel Journal: Day 7- Brodie Castle
The sun is shining (apparently too bright for Arthur who is squinting), and we are ready for another glorious day exploring a Scottish castle. Today, we’re heading to the Morayshire countryside to Brodie Castle, and I’m delighted tell you all about it. We’re just posing for a few photos along the drive, before we make our way to the Castle. I am, as usual, being a professional and making sure Dad gets a good shot of me.
However, Arthur is already up to his puppy antics. He still hasn’t learned the concept of personal space, and, according to Dad, has already mastered the art of the side eye. Nevertheless, I manage to get him to stand still for a nice photo of us looking towards Brodie Castle.
We’re now having a sniff about on the grass, and Dad just told me he would like to get a nice shot of us from this angle. Arthur, on the other hand, has different plans and has decided to do an impromptu puppy yoga session and goodness knows what else he is doing!
I’ve been trying to give him some guidance, but he just is not listening to me today. In fact, I think he might be making fun of me!
Enough is enough. I don’t like to raise my voice and bark too much, but I don’t know how else to get this little goofball’s attention.
I apologise that you had to see that, but I needed to figure out a way to snap the little guy out of his silliness. There is definitely time to have fun and play, but right now we’re working.
Now that we’re finished with the photo session by Brodie Castle, Dad said we can go explore the woodland and have a sniffari. I’m so excited because I love the chance to thoroughly smell my surroundings. It’s also the perfect opportunity to train Arthur on how to keep on the lookout for squirrels.
The grounds and estate at Brodie Castle are extensive, and I can confirm that we have been successful in our squirrel spotting. We have also just come across this pond, which is a nice spot for us to stop, look out, and enjoy our beautiful surroundings.
Apparently quite a few ducks call the pond home.
Despite it being in our nature to retrieve them, I’ve learned to show some restraint and not go with my instincts. However, it is all I can do to keep Arthur from jumping in the pond after them.
On a more sombre note, here is the Brodie Castle burial ground.
As I mentioned earlier, there is a time and place to have fun, and, despite my sometimes-serious nature, I do know how to have fun. For example, this walk around the grounds has been delightful, but nothing beats a good session of the zoomies.
With that out of my system, I’m ready to guide Arthur back to the Castle. Sometimes I forget to slow down for him, but he isn’t afraid to give me a little playful nibble to remind me he can only go so fast. I don’t know if you can tell in the video below, but I am very excited to get back to Mom now that she should be done with her tour of Brodie Castle. Arthur is excited too, but that’s just because he copies everything I do. Little brothers are so silly.
Speaking of a tour of Brodie Castle- I’ve just reviewed Dad’s and Mom's photos. They’ve also given me a summary of some of the highlights of its history, so I’ll share some of what I’ve gathered.
Brodie Castle was the ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years, but the land has been their family seat since the 12th century! However, in the 1970s, it became apparent that the costs of running a castle were not sustainable. Therefore, the late Ninian Brodie of Brodie (pictured below) turned over the Castle to the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) to ensure that future generations will be able to visit this magnificent historical site.
As soon as you walk into Brodie Castle you get a feel of its grandeur in the Entrance Hall.
The Dining Room is dominated by the impressive oak ceiling with its intricate carvings.
The beautiful wallpaper gives the Blue Sitting Room its name.
The Red Drawing Room was originally the high hall of the 16th century tower house. It was the largest and grandest room of the tower house. I think the carved figures around the fireplace are fascinating.
One of the grander rooms at Brodie Castle is the Drawing Room.
Visitors get an interesting glimpse of what life would have been like for the children in the nursery rooms.
We all agree that the library is our favourite. It was created in the mid-1800s and is filled with lovely places to sit and relax with a good book.
Here are a few more pictures from the Castle including the Victorian Kitchen.
One area that we don't have pictures of, but Brodie Castle is known for, is the Playful Garden. The NTS describes it as “home to a fascinating menagerie of characters inspire the castle’s quirky and colourful history, including Scotland’s biggest bunny sculpture. It is full of excitement for all the family….it explores the Brodie family history in a novel, interactive and fun-filled way”. It also has a nice café where we just had a delightful lunch.
There is so much more to see and do at Brodie Castle, and we highly recommend that you visit it in person. Head over to the National Trust for Scotland website for the most up-to-date information on the Castle.
What an amazing day we’ve had! Arthur was a bit of a nut at first, but, overall, he did okay. Dad said I have to remember that he is still a baby and learning. I’ll try to remember to cut him slack as we continue our epic Scottish Grand Tour. If you haven't already, be sure to check out the other parts in our series- Crathes Castle, Leith Hall, Craigievar Castle, Duff House, Drum Castle, and Haddo House. Stay tuned for more fun!
Until next time- Explore & Discover!
