Cawdor Castle

Cawdor Castle Description

Cawdor is somewhat of a magical name, for many people it is well known for the romantic link with the play Macbeth by William Shakespeare; it could well be described as a superb fairy-tale Castle, and is surely just what every visitor is looking for - Scottish history that you can touch and see and sense for yourself. Cawdor Castle is not just another cold monument, but a splendid house and very much the home of the Cawdor family to this day.

The Castle dates from the late 14th century and was built as a private fortress by the Thanes of Cawdor. The ancient medieval tower was built around the legendary holly-tree. Although the House has evolved over 600 years, later additions mainly of the 17th century were all built in the Scottish vernacular style with slated roofs over walls and crow-stepped gables of mellow local stone. This style gives Cawdor a strong sense of unity, and the massive, severe exterior belies an intimate interior that gives the place a surprisingly personal, friendly atmosphere. Good furniture, fine portraits and pictures, interesting objects and outstanding tapestries are arranged to please the family rather than to echo fashion or impress.

The major rooms include: The Drawing Room - This, the great hall of the castle, dates from the 16th century or before, and has been frequently remodelled, the last major alteration being the insertion of the plain, splendid fireplace in 1684, embellished with the Calder family emblems of the stag's head and buckle. At the opposite end of the room is a minstrel's gallery. Calder was an old spelling of Cawdor.

The Tapestry Bedroom - This, the best bedroom above the great hall, forms part of the 17th century's civilizing additions to the castle. The four-poster was the marriage-bed of Sir Hugh Campbell and Lady Henrietta Stuart (Lord Moray's sister) in 1662. The gilded and silvered Venetian headboard is original but the bedstock timbers have been replaced, for instance the oak posts are dated 1857. The style of the recent restoration was guided by an inventory entered by Lady Henrietta in her personal housekeeping notebook, while spring-cleaning in April 1688.

The Dining Room - The mantelpiece commemorates the marriage in 1510 between SirJohn Campbell of Argyll and Muriel Calder of Cawdor. The allegorical design and the inscription in dog Latin have never been satisfactorily explained or translated. The writing may mean 'In the morning, remember your creators'. Or it may mean something quite else, like 'If you stay too long in the evening, you will remember it in the morning'.

Cawdor is fortunate to have three gardens. The Walled Garden is the oldest and dates from c.1600 and later became a kitchen garden. The Flower Garden was laid out some 100 years later and was originally designed for enjoyment in late summer and autumn. However this garden's season has been extended to give pleasure from early spring, with bulbs, bedding plants, herbaceous borders, ornamental trees and shrubs all providing delight. The Wild Garden is the youngest, being planted in the 1960s and lies between the Castle and the stream of the Cawdor Burn.

Along with the three gardens, the Cawdor Big Wood, and their own 9-hole golf course, Cawdor Castle is a truly extraordinary place, but you can find out far more by visiting their comprehensive Website, which also has details of holiday accommodation in the three bedroomed Banchor Cottage, overlooking the picturesque River Findhorn.

Opening Times - 2011

• 1st May - 3rd October: daily, 10 am - 5.30 pm (last entry at 5 pm)

Admission Prices - 2011

House & Garden:

• Adult - £8.30
• Seniors - £7.50
• Child (5 - 15 years) - £5.20
• Student - £7.30
• Family (2+5) - £26.00

Groups (20+):

• Adult - £6.75
• Child (5 - 15 years) - £4.50

Garden, Grounds and Nature Trails:

• Adult - £4.50

Season Ticket (House & Garden):

• Adult - £25.00

Season Ticket (Gardens only):

• Adult - £15.00