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Our ‘Golden’ Summer Blog Series: Part X- Castle Fraser, Gardens, & Estate

  • Writer: Wee Walking Tours
    Wee Walking Tours
  • 32 minutes ago
  • 5 min read

*In the latest instalment of our series, Walter, takes you to the spectacular Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire.

 

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter (standing on the left) and Arthur (sitting on the right) both face away from the camera towards Castle Fraser in the distance. They are sitting on a drive leading to the house next to green grass and trees.

Walter’s Travel Journal: Day 10- Castle Fraser


We are visiting another National Trust for Scotland (NTS) property today, Castle Fraser, and all I have to say is that I’m so happy that Mom and Dad are members. We’ve already visited and covered other NTS sites in the area as part of our ‘Golden’ Summer blog series if you haven’t had a chance to read those- Crathes Castle, Leith Hall, Craigievar Castle, Drum Castle, Haddo House, and Brodie Castle. From the looks of the map of Castle Fraser, it appears that we are going to have our work cut out for us today! So, sit back and relax and I hope you enjoy today’s adventure.

 


I’ll start with a bit of history before I cover the grounds. The first Frasers were Norman and migrated to Scotland in the 1100s. Castle Fraser was completed in 1636 by Andrew Fraser who became the first Lord Fraser. Castle Fraser was a way for Andrew to display his important status.

 

Our Golden Retriever explorer, Walter, stands on the drive lined with trees, heading towards Castle Fraser far in the distance.

There were two lines of Frasers who held Castle Fraser until the early 1900s. It was eventually sold to the Cowdray family in 1921. Lastly, it came into the care of the National Trust for Scotland in 1976.

 

I'm continuing with my training of my little brother, Arthur. He sure has improved a lot on this trip. I’m so proud of him. Although, to be clear, he still has his crazy moments.

 

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter (sitting in the back with his profile facing the camera and a tiny bit of his tiny sticking out) and Arthur (who is sitting in the front and looks like he's getting ready to lunge at the camera). They are sitting on grass with Castle Fraser in the background.

This tree stump gives us a bit of a vantage point to see what is going on around the grounds. I’ve tried to instil the importance of always paying close attention to your surroundings to Arthur.

 

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter and Arthur, are both standing on a very large tree stump. They are facing away from the camera. They are surrounded by green grass with trees and Castle Fraser in the background.

I know that I’m always telling Arthur to be more serious and not so goofy, but I think he’s taking that advice too much to heart. Quite frankly, he looks like a little grumpy Gus so far this morning and I hope I can get him to smile a little bit.

 


I’m trying to show him how to look back and smile at Dad like a professional.


Our Golden Retriever explorers, Arthur (on the left and facing away from the camera to Castle Fraser in the distance) and Walter (on the right and facing the camera and smiling with his tongue out) stand on the drive leading to Castle Fraser. They are surrounded by green grass, shrubbery, and trees.

Maybe he just needs a little pep talk from me.

 

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Arthur (on the left and facing away from the camera) and Walter (on the right and leaning towards Arthur, looking like he is having a talk with him) stand on the drive that leads to Castle Fraser in the distance. They are surrounded by shrubbery, green grass, and trees.

I guess my little speech worked because he sure is moving with motivation now.

 


This courtyard is a lovely place to explore because I can smell all the delicious scents wafting out of the Castle Tearoom. Although, my senses just kicked in to warn me of a nearby squirrel. Look how alert Arthur is- I’m so proud of him!

 

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Arthur and Walter, stand side by side. Arthur is in the front and Walter is behind him. They are both away from the camera with their profiles. They are looking at attention with their ears perked up at something in the distance off camera. They are standing in the stone courtyard of Castle Fraser, surrounded by the stone Castle.

We’ve continued our squirrel hunt out here on the grass. Arthur seems to have caught the scent of something.

 

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Arthur and Walter, stand on the green grass with Castle Fraser in the background. You can see Walter's profile as he looks off at something. Arthur has his head down and is smelling something on the grass right in front of his front legs.

Now, I want to share some exciting news that Dad just told me- we are allowed in the walled garden! Normally, and I suppose understandably, we usually can’t go inside the walled gardens of the places we visit, but that is all about to change.

 

I’m just going to carefully check the gate sign to make sure that Dad didn’t misread it. However, I’m relieved to see that it does state that we can go in on lead.


Our Golden Retriever explorer, Walter, stands at the gated entrance to the Walled Garden at Castle Fraser. There are two signs on the gate. The one on top reads: "Please close the gate." The second sign below that reads, "Please keep dogs on leads in the walled garden, thank you." Set in a garden with greenery.

This is going to be epic, and Arthur and I start our garden exploration with gusto!

 

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter (on the left) and Arthur (on the right) face away from the camera and are walking on the garden path in the Walled Garden at Castle Fraser lined with colourful flowers. Trees and stone wall in the background. Calm, scenic setting.

Oops!  We’re having so much fun that Arthur forgot his training and got a little too close to the camera.

 

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter (on the left) and Arthur (on the right) stand on the garden path at Castle Fraser. They are both smiling and facing the camera. Arthur is a little too close to the camera and the bottom of his face isn't showing. They are surrounded by flowers and greenery.

Okay, even I must admit that this picture of Arthur posing in the garden is too cute for words. His little wee face looks so sincere. I can tell how hard he is trying to impress me.

 

Our Golden Retriever puppy, Arthur, stands on the path in the Walled Garden at Castle Fraser by vibrant yellow flowers, looking at the camera with a sincere look on his face.

Isn’t this garden simply magnificent?! It's like we are in our very own fairy tale.


Our Golden Retriever explorers, Arthur (on the left) and Walter (on the right) walk through a leafy garden path under a green archway in the Walled Garden at Castle Fraser.

 

I think Arthur is a bit tired after that adventure in the walled garden, and it’s time to take a break. We’ll head back to that courtyard we explored earlier as it’s a nice place to enjoy lunch. It’s also the perfect time to go over some of Dad’s photos from inside Castle Fraser.

 

I can confirm that the interior is as grand as it looks from the outside. I’ll share some of the highlights now.

 

Let’s start in the Michael Kitchen, which is named after Michael Fraser, a laird in the 1500s. Mom says that the kitchen was a very busy place in its day. It would have been running almost 24 hours a day!

 

Rustic kitchen with stone fireplace, pots hanging. Wooden table, brass kettle, white chair, and vase with flowers. Warm, cozy atmosphere.

Next is the Great Hall, and it is the largest room in Castle Fraser. Here’s a fun fact- originally, you would enter this room via a ladder from the courtyard. I’m pretty agile, but I don’t think I could climb a ladder.

 


The Dining Room was built in 1633 but is now decorated in the later Georgian style. Any room where food is served is always a favourite of mine.


Elegant dining room with a long table set for a meal, ornate mirrors, chandelier, and portraits. Warm lighting with red roped barriers.

They sure have some fancy napkin folding on display.


 

If you look closely at the wallpaper, it gives a clue to the name of this room- the Peacock Parlour.

 

Room with vintage decor; green chairs, wooden cabinet, paintings on floral and peacock wallpaper. Red ropes create a barrier around the fireplace area.

The views from the tower are spectacular.

 


Do you remember when we visited the Great Hall? Well, in the Worked Room, there’s access to a chamber called the Laird’s Lug (Lug is the Scots word for ear). There, the laird could eavesdrop on conversations in the Great Hall. It sounds very sneaky to me!

 

Dimly lit stone tunnel with rough, uneven walls extending into darkness. Shadowy light creates a mysterious ambiance. No visible text.

The last room I want to highlight is the Chapel. According to the NTS, there is a secret chamber in front of the hearth that could have been a Priest hole. This would have been necessary as Catholicism was outlawed after the Reformation. There is also a cabinet that contains an Agnus Dei (Lamb of God), one of the oldest items in Castle Fraser that possibly dates to as early as the 14th century.


A cosy room with a fireplace, vintage portrait, wooden table, chair, and ornate rug. Natural light from a window creates a serene mood.
Carving of a lamb, an Agnus Dei, illuminated in a niche. Text below reads "Illuminated Artwork - The Agnus Dei." Neutral tones.

Here are a few more photos from inside Castle Fraser:

 


Well, it has been an exhausting but rewarding day! I hope you have enjoyed it as much as we have. We highly recommend that you put Castle Fraser on your must-see itinerary for when you are in Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Head over to their National Trust for Scotland website to learn more about how you can best plan your visit.

 

Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter (on the left) and Arthur (on the right) stand on the drive that leads to Castle Fraser in the distance. They are both facing away from the camera toward the Castle with their ears perked up. They drive is surrounded by green grass and trees.

Be sure to join us for the grand finale of our ‘Golden’ Summer Blog Series. I don’t want to spoil the surprise, but I will say that it is a magnificent castle. Additionally, since Arthur has done so well in his training, I’ve decided to let him write about it. Dad says we’ve been prepping for this the whole trip as it combines all our favourite castle features in one place. So, stay tuned for that! Well, we’re headed back to camp, and I’m in such good spirits, I’ll let Arthur cuddle with me when we go to bed.


Our Golden Retriever explorers, Arthur (on the left) and Walter (on the right) sleep peacefully side by side on a dog bed.

Until next time- Explore & Discover!



On a purple background is a photo of a Golden Retriever standing in front of Ross Fountain and Edinburgh Castle. The photo is framed in a gold circle. The text asks people to consider buying us a cup of coffee on our Ko-fi account if they enjoy the place we bring them to around Scotland and would like to help keep the stories coming.

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