Fedderate Castle, Aberdeenshire
Photo © Oliver Dixon, 21 May 2008
Fedderate Castle, Aberdeenshire
Photo © Andrew Wood, 12 March 2004
Fedderate Castle, Aberdeenshire Photo © Oliver Dixon, 21 May 2008 |
Fedderate Castle, Aberdeenshire Photo © Andrew Wood, 12 March 2004 |
All that remains of Fedderate Castle is a portion of the walls, 30 feet high
and 6 feet thick. It was surrounded partly by a ditch and partly by a morass
now drained. A stone thought to have been removed from the castle around 1830,
is now sited at Alehousehill, and is dated 1257. The castle was probably built
on the site of an earlier castle possibly built in 1257. Fedderate Castle was
re-build by William Crawford who held the barony between 1474 and 1519. It was
reached by a causeway and drawbridge, traces of which were visible in 1790.
The present remains are of a four storey 'L' shaped tower-house which originally
stood within a courtyard, with defensive towers on the outer walls. The present
ruin measures 58' 8" x 44' and probably dates from the late 15th century.
The present state of the castle is a result of the revolutionary times of James
the Second and the struggle for crown and power. The castle was reported to
have been the last strongholds of James II's supporters. The castle was besieged
for four weeks and finally destroyed by the forces of King William III in 1690.
There are many legends relating to Fedderate Castle and, as might be expected,
the ruins are said to be haunted.