Our ‘Golden’ Summer Blog Series: Part XI- Fyvie Castle

*Our Golden Retriever pup, Arthur, takes over blog writing duties for our grand finale- a visit to Fyvie Castle.

Arthur’s Travel Journal: Day 11- Fyvie Castle

Well, the time has finally come for our Scottish Grand Tour to end as today is our last day of camping in Aberdeenshire. Mom and Dad said we are visiting a place called Fyvie Castle and it combines so much of what we have seen over the past ten days (I’ve been told it will include a loch, and I love water!). I’m so excited because my older brother, Walter, is actually letting me write today’s blog post. Can you believe he is letting me write the grand finale to our summer series?!

I’m going to do my utmost to try to be as professional as Walter today, so I’m starting off by carefully looking over the map of the Castle and estate. From the looks of it, we are going to have a busy and long day. But, have no fear dear reader, I’m up for the challenge! I may be a young pup who (according to Walter) still has a lot of training to do, but I make up for that in enthusiasm!

I’ve just seen something on the informational board about ghost stories, and that scares me a little bit. However, I’m sure Walter will hold my paw if I get too frightened. He says a lot of places are haunted in Scotland including where we live in Edinburgh. Walter helps Dad tell visitors all about that and more on our historic Edinburgh walking tours. I hope I will also be able to help Dad guide people around Edinburgh someday. Anyway, enough of my daydreaming- we need to get back to our current exploration.

Mom and Dad are saying that Walter and I are full of energy, and we will start today’s adventure with the Lochside Walk. According to the map, it is 1.25 miles (2km) and takes 30-60 minutes. Walter says 30 minutes for him, but definitely 60 minutes for me. Apparently, I tend to dawdle too much. However, I would clarify that it’s more that I prefer to take in all the new scents and admire my surroundings. Walter says he also likes to do the same but can just do it faster.

Will you just look at the loch?! Mom and Dad say they would love to live here and do this walk every day. That sure would make me happy.

To my great disappointment, Dad says that we can’t go swimming in the loch. Apparently, my current expression is a tell when I really want to do something. I’m a bit embarrassed, but this is the goofy face I make when I’m unsure of something. In this case, I know I need to listen to Dad, but I'm fighting the urge to jump in the water.

Walter is trying to play it cool, but I can sense his desire to go in the water as well. I even heard him mutter something about Dad denying us the opportunity to tap into our water dog instincts. Nevertheless, Walter says we must keep a close eye on those ducks- something about it being “our duty”. I think he’s a bit melodramatic, but I just follow orders. After all, I did hear Dad say that his name means ‘Commander of the Army’. I’m not sure what ‘army’ he’s in charge of, but I suppose I’m a part of it.

We’ve now made our way around Loch Fyvie and are heading back toward the Castle. Isn’t Fyvie Castle magnificent?! I’ve been told the earliest record of a castle on this site goes all the way back to the 1200s. That one was probably built of timber. However, the castle architecture you see today is a mix of various additions and renovations from the 1300s-1900s.

We need to pose for some photos in front of the Castle for Dad. Walter looks regal as always, and I’m trying my best to follow my training and sit still. Walter says we must be sure to help Dad get all our best angles, whatever that means.

To be frank, I’m starting to get bored with all this picture taking. I’m just going to lie down for a minute until we can resume our adventure.

Well, Dad has just made up for taking so long (Walter says it was only a few minutes, but it felt like an eternity to me) and told us the best news. I’m thrilled to say that, like Castle Fraser, Walter and I are ALLOWED IN THE GARDENS!

Sorry for shouting. I get carried away sometimes. Well, all the time according to Walter. But how am I supposed to contain my excitement when we are allowed to visit such a beautiful place? It’s positively blooming with colours and has so many new smells.

Walter says we must do a thorough examination of the garden and to follow his lead. Of course, we also stop for some photos for Dad. Walter says we mustn’t disappoint our fans.

Unfortunately, as is always the case, dogs are not allowed inside the Castle. However, even though I couldn’t go inside, Dad’s photos brought it all to life for me. In fact, after looking them over, I can confirm that it is filled with amazing artefacts and treasures! He and Mom told me all about the Castle, and I’d like to take you on a wee tour. It is a lot to remember, but I’ll do my best to give you the correct information.

Let’s start in the Entrance Hall- which I find a bit intimidating. Do you see those amazing suits of armour? They are from Germany and date to the late 16^th and early 17^th centuries. I’m not sure if I would want to take a nap in that room. What if they armours start to move on their own?! Walter says I’m being ridiculous, and he would love to have his own armour. Apparently, he has dreamt about being a knight ever since he heard his namesake’s (Sir Walter Scott) story, Lady of the Lake (Mom says you can read more about that in Walter’s post on Loch Katrine).

Next is the Billiards Room, and I like the feel of this cosy space. There’s a painting of a fancy-looking man that caught my attention. According to Mom it’s called ‘The Cavalier’ by John Pettie.

Now we’ll take the Great Stair up to the next floor. As you can see, there are spectacular artefacts everywhere you go in Fyvie Castle.

Upon entering the Dining Room, you are greeted by some fascinating looking people whose paintings line the walls.

That beautiful portrait above the fireplace is of Marie Louise January- Lady Leith. She was an American heiress who met Alexander Leith (his portrait is above the pantry door) in California.

The ‘romantic’ (Mom’s word) story goes that Alexander, who was from Aberdeenshire, joined the Royal Navy in 1860. Ten years later, his ship, HMS Zealous, was laid up in the San Francisco harbour. Apparently to pass the time, he attended a ball, and this is where he met Marie Louise January. The Leiths married a year later, and first settled in the January’s hometown of St. Louis, Missouri.

Alexander went on to form the steel trust, the Illinois Steel Company- one of the largest in the world. He became a very wealthy man and bought Fyvie Castle went it went up for sale in 1889. Thus, the Leiths moved into Fyvie Castle and set about making some renovations. After buying the Castle, Alexander took the name ‘Forbes-Leith’ (his mother’s name was Forbes). Alexander’s grandson, Sir Andrew Forbes-Leith sold Fyvie Castle and most of its contents to the National Trust for Scotland in 1984.The Leiths were just one of the many families that lived in Fyvie Castle over the centuries, but they sure made their mark (other families included- Preston, Meldrum, Seton, and Gordon).

The magnificent oak panelling and plasterwork ceiling with pendant bosses was put up by Alexander in 1890.

The Butler’s Pantry sure has a lot of items that look fragile. I think I can understand why dogs are not allowed in the Castle.

One of the paintings that caught my eye in the Morning Room is this striking one of Colonel Hon. William Gordon by Pompeo Batoni. He had this portrait done by Batoni in Italy while on his Grand Tour. He sure looks very heroic and impressive.

I wonder if Walter and I should see if someone could do our portraits. We are on our own Scottish version of a ‘Grand Tour’ after all. Perhaps it could look something like this:

Sorry, I couldn’t help myself. Although I do think we look very regal. Anyway, here are a few more pictures from the Morning Room:

Let’s head down a hallway so we can make our way to what the whole family agrees is our favourite part of Fyvie Castle- the Library.

I would happily snooze away in front of the fireplace with Walter next to me- daydreaming about taking a Grand Tour of the Continent. I don’t think that is too far-fetched an idea either because Mom and Dad have said they want to take us all around Europe someday. Something about their ‘bucket list’. For now, a pup can dream.

Now, this next story is where it starts to get a little scary as it is said that a ghost- the Green Lady- haunts the Drummond Room. The story goes that the Green Lady is the ghost of Dame Lilias Drummond, Alexander Seton’s first wife. The legend says that in 1601, Lilias was starved to death by her husband for failing to provide him a son and heir. Only a few weeks after Lilias’ death, Alexander Seton married the young and pretty, Grizel Leslie. On the night of their marriage, the couple heard heavy sighs and ghostly laments outside their bedchamber window. In the morning, these words were freshly carved into the window sill on the outside (it's D. Lilies Drummond😱):

I’m pretty sure that is one of the scariest stories I’ve heard so far in my young life, but Walter says he’s heard scarier tales. Nevertheless, I think we should get out of this room and make our way to some place less terrifying- the grand Gallery.

This spectacular room seems a fitting end to our tour. It was built by the Leiths in 1900 and is filled with exquisite details- so be sure to take your time exploring. The walls have 17^th century Brussels tapestries hanging throughout. The French Renaissance marble fireplace dates to 1521. The pipe organ that dominates the room is self-playing. The last feature I want to point out is the Tiffany lamp that Marie Louise January brought over from the States.

There is obviously so much more to see inside Fyvie Castle, and I’ve only covered some of the highlights. However, here are a few more pictures from the Castle interior:

Well, I had the best day of my young life and sniffed more things than I can even count! I highly recommend that you pay a visit to Fyvie Castle when you visit Aberdeenshire. It is an amazing experience that you must do in person as there is so much more to see and do. Head over to their National Trust for Scotland website to learn more.

And now, I’m sad to say that we’ve reached the end of our ‘Golden’ Summer Blog Series. I might be the little brother and a bit of a goof, but being part of this big finale has made me so happy. I hope I made Walter proud and maybe made you smile too. Of course, our adventures around Scotland will continue. Mom and Dad say that they also have a lot of places to write about. So be sure to subscribe to this blog and follow us on our social media channels- Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, YouTube, Threads, and TikTok.

Until next time- Explore & Discover!

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