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Recording Your Heritage Online
Event ID 562963
Category Descriptive Accounts
Type Recording Your Heritage Online
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/562963
Frendraught, on site of earlier castle, rebuilt 1656, recast c.1753, east wing c.1790/1800. An extended house of considerable complexity and charm. Two small chamfered windows in west gable appear to be oldest features, although cellars of this wing probably belong to the original ha'hoose, burnt in 1630. Fragments of the adjacent tower, demolished 1947, adhere to the east elevation. The 17th century rebuild consists of an imposing seven-window harled front with an ashlar-faced three window centre slightly advanced and topped by a strong semicircular pediment. The porch (with 1688 datestone) was added when the angle tower was topped with battlements and bartizans, c.1832. Crowstepped offices to north of court, now neatly converted, 18th century or earlier. A Morison house since c.1690. Restoration began 1984.
James V visited Frendraught on 13 November 1535 and granted a charter to Sir James Crichton. In 1630 Crichton's grandson killed Gordon of Rothiemay and mortally wounded Gordon of Lesmore. The Marquess of Huntly arranged for him to pay a large sum to the relatives. Subsequently, one of Crichton's party seriously wounded a son of Leslie of
Pitcaple in continuation of the feud. Leslie declined to accept any compensation and threatened to intercept Crichton's return from the Bog of Gycht (Gordon Castle, by Fochabers). The Marquess sent his own son, Viscount Melgund, Gordon
of Rothiemay and six followers as an escort home with Frendraught in October 1630. The party reached Frendraught safely and the Gordons were invited to stay for the night; Viscount Melgund, Gordon of Rothiemay and four followers died in the fire that took hold during the night. According to the ballad, 'The Fire of Frendraught', Lady Frendraught cried:
'It were great pity for good Lord John But none for Rothiemay;
But the keys are casten in the deep draw-well,
Ye canna get away.'
Crichton and his lady escaped blame, but John Meldrum, an old servant of Crichton's, was tried and executed in
Edinburgh in August 1631. The 'ashes and brynt bones' of the victims were gathered by the Gordons and buried at the Kirk of Gartly.
Taken from "Aberdeenshire: Donside and Strathbogie - An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Ian Shepherd, 2006. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk
