The earliest parts of Fyvie Castle date from the 13th century – some sources claim it was built in 1211 by William the Lion. Fyvie was the site of an open-air court held by Robert the Bruce, and Charles I lived there as a child.

Following the Battle of Otterburn in 1390, it ceased to be a royal stronghold and instead fell into the possession of five successive families, each of whom added a new tower to the castle. The oldest of these, the Preston tower (located on the far right as one faces the main facade of Fyvie), dates to between 1390 and 1433. The impressive Seton tower forms the entrance, and was erected in 1599 by Alexander Seton; Seton also commissioned the great processional staircase several years later. The Gordon tower followed in 1778 , and the Leith in 1890.

Inside, the castle stronghold features a great wheel stair, a display of original arms and armour, and a collection of portraits.

Manus O'Cahan and Montrose fought a successful minor battle against the Covenant Army at Fyvie Castle on October 28, 1644.

Following Victorian trends, the grounds and adjoining Loch Fyvie were landscaped in the 19th century. The Scottish industrialist Alexander Leith (later Baron Leith of Fyvie) bought the castle in 1885. It was sold to the National Trust for Scotland in 1984 by his descendants. Today the castle is open to the public.

The castle (like many places in Scotland) is said to be haunted. A story is told that in 1920 during renovation work the skeleton of a woman was discovered behind a bedroom wall. On the day the remains were laid to rest in Fyvie cemetery, the castle residents started to be plagued by strange noises and unexplained happenings.

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Founded: 13th century
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

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4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Bart Labno (7 months ago)
One of the most beautiful castles to visit. Beautiful gardens and stunning collections. Also not overcrowded. There is plenty to do for the whole family - loch walk, castle visit, gardens with growing vegetables and really nice kitchen at the tearoom.
Ali Tassavor (7 months ago)
In short: My favorite castle tour in the whole Scotland! Fyvie Castle is a truly enchanting destination that captures the essence of its rich history. The castle's well-preserved rooms, each with its own unique story, offer a fascinating glimpse into bygone eras. Whether exploring the opulent drawing rooms or wandering the picturesque grounds, Fyvie Castle is a captivating experience that transports visitors to another time. I was surprised that the castle has been visited by so many important people for various reasons.
David Richards (8 months ago)
We have visited Fyvie Castle many times as it is the closest castle to our home. This time there was an organised tour. (Every 45 minutes) We had half an hour to wait so took the chance of a coffee in the tea room which was excellent. The lady who was our guide was obviously very knowledgeable about the families who have made Fyvie their home over the centuries and her enthusiasm for the castle was infectious.
S Eliasson (10 months ago)
I typically don't like guided tours, but this one was actually really good. It was a good pace and just right amount of information to stay interesting but not overwhelming. But they only do guided tours, on specific times. There's a garden you can walk freely in and also a tea room to visit if you're a bit early. Parking was easy, it's a pay and display (£3), but it only takes coins. But if you're like me who doesn't like cash, you can just tell them when you buy your ticket that you need the parking added on.
Morag Maich (10 months ago)
We only walked around the Loch and the gardens not the castle. The walkway was very clearly marked and is mostly accessible. The latter part of the Loch walk is not accessible but the road is very close by and can be used. The whole walk was beautiful and very managable. Dogs were to be kept on leads but that was fine and there was no problem. There were quite a few people walking their dogs and lots of young children. It was a lovely atmosphere and will be back.
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