View of courtyard from N, Castle Fraser.

Description View of courtyard from N, Castle Fraser.

Date 9/1961

Collection Records of the Scottish National Buildings Record, Edinburgh, Scotland

Catalogue Number AB 666

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 802377, SC 1767011

Scope and Content Courtyard, Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire, from north This photograph has been taken inside the courtyard of the castle. In the centre is the oldest block, with no windows in the lower part. On either side of it are the Round (left) and Michael (right) Towers, built around 1576 by Michael Fraser (d.1588). The long wings forming the edges of the courtyard are the 'laigh biggins', or 'low buildings'. These were constructed around 1631 by Andrew Fraser (1574-1636), 1st Lord Fraser, who was also responsible for adding the upper storeys to the older tower-house. In the 19th century, Colonel Charles Mackenzie Fraser (1792-1871) constructed a staircase leading to the great hall, on the first floor of the central tower. The staircase, lit by a glass cupola, was removed in the 20th century. Castle Fraser is a multi-period building, the oldest parts of which date from the 15th century. The castle, 26km west of Aberdeen, is now in the care of The National Trust for Scotland, and is open to the public. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

External Reference MW/BR/FRA/10

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/760958