Brodie Castle


Brodie Castle is a well-preserved Z plan castle located about 3 1⁄2 miles (5.5 kilometres) west of Forres, in Moray, Scotland. The castle is a Category A listed building[1] and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.[2]

Brodie Castle
Brodie Castle, showing the 16th-century tower on the left, and William Burn's extensions to the right
Brodie Castle
Coordinates57°35′54″N 3°42′32″W
Site information
OwnerNational Trust for Scotland
Open to
the public		Yes
Site history
Built1567
Rebuilt in 1824-1845.
DemolishedBurned in 1645

The Brodie family
Location of Brodie Castle in north-east Scotland

The original Z-plan castle was built in 1567 by Clan Brodie but was destroyed by fire in 1645 by Lewis Gordon of Clan Gordon, the 3rd Marquis of Huntly. In 1824, architect William Burn was commissioned to convert it into a large mansion house in the Scots Baronial style, but these additions were never completed and were later remodelled by James Wylson (c. 1845).[2][3]

The Brodie family called the castle home until the early 21st century.[4] It is widely accepted that the Brodies have been associated with the land on which the castle is built since around 1160, when it is believed that King Malcolm IV gave the land to the family.[5]

Ninian Brodie of Brodie (The Brodie of Brodie), the castle's last resident member of the family, died in 2003. The former family wing is being prepared for holiday letting.

The castle today
Brodie Castle in 2006

Architecturally, the castle has a very well-preserved 16th-century central keep with two 5-storey towers on opposing corners. The interior of the castle is also well preserved, containing fine antique furniture, oriental artifacts and painted ceilings, largely dating from the 17th–19th centuries.

Today the castle and surrounding policies, including a national daffodil collection, are owned by the National Trust for Scotland and are open to the public to visit throughout the year. The castle may be hired for weddings and indoor or outdoor events. An ancient Pictish monument known as Rodney's Stone can be seen in the castle grounds.[2]

See also

References
  1. Historic Environment Scotland. "BRODIE CASTLE  (Category A Listed Building) (LB2260)". Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  2. Historic Environment Scotland. "BRODIE CASTLE (GDL00072)". Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  3. "James Wylson". Dictionary of Scottish Architects. Retrieved 7 March 2019.
  4. Seenan, Gerard (17 March 1999). "Heir today, gone tomorrow". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2020.
  5. "Brodie Castle". National Trust for Scotland. Retrieved 2 August 2020.
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