Our 'Golden' Summer Blog Series: Part I- Crathes Castle, Garden, & Estate

Last summer was an incredible one for the Wee Walking Tours family. We went camping in Aberdeenshire and were fortunate to travel to a number of historic sites- a mix of castles, grand homes, gardens, and a cathedral. Our Golden Retriever explorers, Walter and Arthur, had so much fun exploring and want to share their travel adventures with all of you. Therefore, over the coming weeks, we hope you enjoy as we bring you on an epic summer travel series through Aberdeenshire (with a couple of bonus stops in Morayshire), where Walter and Arthur will write about their explorations. So, join us as we head north and Walter begins our ‘Golden’ Summer Blog Series at Crathes Castle!

From the Desk of Walter

I have been enjoying the lovely Scottish summer, but it reminds me of last summer when I took my brother, Arthur, who was still a wee pup, on a tour of Aberdeenshire. One of the things I've heard Mom and Dad talk about was how many of the people who used to live in castles and grand homes would go on what is called ‘The Grand Tour’- travelling around various European countries. Now, I have high hopes that someday Arthur and I will have our own European Grand Tour, but, in the meantime, I want to share how we did our very own Scottish version. What an amazing time we had travelling around the countryside, seeing so many important places!

For those of you who follow us on our social media channels, you already had a sneak peek of some of the places we visited last summer. However, I’m so happy that we can bring you a more in-depth look at these picturesque sites. While I am kicking off this summer blog series, I have agreed to share writing duties with Arthur. Fortunately, Mom and Dad encouraged us both to keep travel journals. Therefore, you can expect an interesting mix of our perspectives in the coming weeks. So, without further ado, I’m thrilled to kick off our Grand Tour with a bang sharing our visit to Crathes Castle and Garden!

Walter’s Travel Journal: Day 1- Crathes Castle, Garden, & Estate

I have a bias for our ‘Athens of the North’, Edinburgh (after all, I do conduct historic tours there with Dad's help), but I absolutely adore Aberdeenshire. There is something freeing about being in the countryside- especially during the summer months when everything is lush, green, and in full bloom. This is certainly the case at the picturesque Crathes Castle and Garden. Let’s tour some of that now.

Crathes Castle, Garden, and Estate is overseen by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS). Arthur and I are so lucky that Mom and Dad are members because that means we get to visit historic places like Crathes Castle (and so much more!). As you can see from the map below, there are a variety of different trails that you can take to explore the grounds and estate.

By now, I am a professional at posing for photos for Dad, but my wee brother, Arthur, still has a lot to learn. I’m doing my best to mentor him, but it isn’t always easy. However, it’s clear that he worships the ground I walk on, and he is doing better than I thought he would, so I’ll try to put up with his crazy antics. For example, he needs to learn the importance of personal space with me and Dad when he is taking pictures.

One thing I am teaching Arthur is that, yes, it is fun to explore these amazing places, but you must always be vigilant. For example, I noticed that one of the trails was called the ‘Red Squirrel Trail’. This makes me think that there will most likely be squirrels as we explore. In fact, I’m pretty sure that we saw one close by at one point while we posed for a picture in front of the Castle.

It's also important to take lots of breaks so that we can stay hydrated and rested. Although, I don’t understand why Dad is stopping so much. I guess it has to do with Arthur still being a ‘baby’ and needing to rest more. I can reassure you that my endurance is much better than his. I suppose I don’t mind a wee rest in the shade. It gives me a chance to observe my surroundings better. In fact, I can see something in the distance!

We better head back on the trail and see what we can find. Although Arthur seems like he is already thinking about lunch. Hopefully I can get him to walk around and explore a bit more before we need to stop again.

I am not afraid to show my love of trees (if you haven’t already, check out our article on the Kinclaven Bluebell Wood after for proof), and I can’t believe we have just come across some giant redwoods! I might seem serious, but I know how to have fun and sometimes I need to just run around. I think a quick display of the zoomies are in order.

Now that I got that out of my system, Dad said it’s time to head back towards the Castle. The drive leading up to it is quite impressive! I love Disney movies and television shows (my name is ‘Walter/Walt’ after all😉), and a common theme for many of the castles in Aberdeenshire are that they look like something out of a fairy tale. Crathes fits this description with its charming turrets and towers. It's such a lovely day, and the Castle looks beautiful from all angles.

Understandably, Arthur and I are not allowed in the Castle or Walled Garden, but Mom and Dad took turns touring them and told us all about it. Therefore, I will share their pictures and a bit of what I learned with you. To start with, it is amazing to hear that one family- the Burnetts- lived in the Castle for over 400 years!

Our tour of the interior starts in the Kitchen and Servants’ Hall. Isn’t that iron gate intimidating looking? It’s called a ‘yett’ and could be used to help secure the castle if needed because the door couldn’t be opened if it was in place.

Next up is the High Hall, and it is the most important room in the castle. Look carefully at that horn in the frame just above the fireplace. Dad told me that this is Crathes’ greatest treasure, and it is called “The Horn of Leys’. It is said to have been given by Robert the Bruce to the first Burnett of Leys as a symbol of his office as Royal Forester and probably dates to 1323. That is quite amazing if you ask me.

Crathes Castle is famous for its 16th and 17th century painted ceilings. Unfortunately, the Victorian owners of the Castle took it upon themselves to ‘restore’ these ceilings. Of course, they were working with the limited conservation knowledge that was held at that time, but their methods would never be used today. For example, they painted faded areas with brighter colours than what was originally used, and they even painted in completely new designs to fill in the gaps or ‘improve the design’. To make matters worse, modern conservators can’t remove the Victorian changes without causing further damage. While most of the painted ceiling in the High Hall is no longer there, you can still some painted sections of it in the window alcoves.

Fortunately, much of the original painted ceiling survives in the Stair Chamber as it is the only room to escape the renovations done by the Victorians. That is because it wasn’t uncovered until the 1960s by NTS staff.

I hope Arthur doesn’t see the picture of one of the ceiling paintings form the Room of the Nine Nobles. It will probably go right to his head when he learns about the legend of King Arthur.

I was also fascinated to learn about the Long Gallery. It runs the full length of the top floor of the Castle and was originally used for exercise in bad weather. I can see the attraction for using such a room for exercise and would love to play fetch under that beautiful oak-panelled ceiling. Mom and Dad tell me that it’s the only one of its kind to survive outside the three royal palaces in Scotland.

Now, my Dad previously told you all about Menstrie Castle, and this document framed in glass directly relates to that. It is the charter that gave Thomas Burnett, the 1st Baronet, his certificate of Baronetcy of Nova Scotia (if you haven’t already, be sure to check out the Menstrie article to learn more).

The Long Gallery is also where they would have displayed their best pictures and furniture.

Speaking of nice furniture, the Laird’s Bedroom has an elaborately carved oak four-post bed that dates to 1594. I’m fortunate to have some nice memory foam beds, but I wouldn’t mind taking a nap in that bed!

This beautiful room is the Muses’ Room and is believed to have been a work room for Katherine Burnett.

Living in an historic country such as Scotland, and having keen senses that humans don’t possess, I can tell you that the past sometimes comes to life a little more than I would like. I know I’ve sensed a few spirits in Edinburgh, and I’m convinced I’ve heard the infamous ghost piper in the underground tunnels when walking the cobble stones of our ancient city. Therefore, it’s probably for the best that I’m not allowed in Crathes Castle- more specifically in the Green Lady’s Room.

You see, legend says that the ghost of the Green Lady has been seen in this room carrying a baby in her arms. Furthermore, skeletal remains of a child were found in a small recess under the hearth stone in the room. So, perhaps there’s a connection between the two, but I certainly don’t want to see either ghost. Hopefully I’ll be safe outside on the grounds- at least that’s what I tell myself.

With that spooky thought, let’s make our way through the Stone Hall (it was once a private room for the Laird and his family), and head out of the Castle to explore the Walled Garden.

The Walled Garden is thought to be as old as the Castle itself. However, most of what you see today was developed from the 1800s onward. Many exquisite features can be found throughout the Garden including the Victorian Greenhouses and the Rose Garden.

I hope you have enjoyed today’s ‘explore and discover’ mission. If I’m honest, the kid didn’t do that bad, but he still has a way to go in his training (can you see how he doesn’t even fit into his purple vest yet!).

We have an incredible itinerary for this trip, and I can’t wait to see the other historic places and tell you all about it. Be sure to subscribe to our blog (click on the button below) so that you can continue to follow along with our summer travel series and get our articles as soon as they are published. For now, I think Arthur is exhausted from his busy day and I suppose I’ll let him cuddle with me for a little bit while we rest.

Until next time- Explore & Discover!

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