Reimagining Fyvie Castle

1. Saving the castle and its collections

Fyvie’s iconic towers are cracking, and the south façade is critically unstable. Temporary steel bands have been installed on the Seton Tower to prevent irreversible loss, but they are a temporary fix. The carved stonework around the building, including the iconic finials (stone figures on the roof), are in poor condition. Much of this dates to the 16th century, and we must act to conserve these stone features before they face irreversible loss

Inside, the story is just as urgent. Intricate plasterwork ceilings and the timber panelling are deteriorating. The castle and its treasures are at risk. We aim to bring back the treasures of Fyvie, which include items that have been in storage for many years due to their conservation requirement. These include sculptures which once filled the landscape at Fyvie with art and discovery.

We’re launching a major conservation effort to repair the building’s structure, preserve vulnerable interiors and protect this priceless collection. This will include work to save the stonework finials on the roof and collaboration with skilled conservators to develop a robust collections management plan. 

2. Restoring Old Home Farm

Fyvie’s Old Home Farm was once the beating heart of the estate, deeply rooted in a sustainable farming community. Today, these buildings are crumbling and have been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 1980 (before the Trust acquired the property). 

We want to bring Old Home Farm back to life. Our vision is to recreate it as the ‘friendly face of Fyvie’, creating a welcoming hub where history meets community. Restoration work will include: 

• Creating exhibition and learning spaces
• Reintroducing craft and heritage workshops
• Restoring the historic doocot and west range
• Offering new facilities for visitors

This revitalisation will connect people to Fyvie’s agricultural past while securing its future as a vibrant, sustainable cultural space. 

3. Unlocking Fyvie’s green spaces

Fyvie’s 123-acre estate, with woodlands, loch, gardens and fields, is a haven for wildlife and is used daily by local people for walking and nature spotting. However, many areas are currently inaccessible. 

We know that connecting people with nature enhances well-being and environmental awareness, and we’re committed to making the estate more accessible. By installing new and extended footpaths, including wheelchair-accessible ramps and a young explorer’s path and boardwalk, we can encourage more people to experience Fyvie’s green spaces. The establishment of Fyvie’s first woodland school and nature play facility will also help us engage with children and young people. 

Future phases of the landscape will see important estate structures repaired and brought back into use. This will provide opportunities for new experiences and support local youth groups and visitors alike in engaging with the wildlife and natural heritage of this site, which has witnessed changing landscapes from boggy medieval marshland to battlefield and then a formally designed landscape. 

4. Bringing Fyvie to life

From its 800 years of history, Fyvie has evolved from a medieval fortress to a Renaissance palace, a Georgian mansion and finally into its full glory as a Victorian party pad. Many of these stories are unknown, and so the Trust is seeking to reinvigorate storytelling and the visitor experience at Fyvie to better share the depth and breadth of its history. From the figures of sportsmen and musicians on the roof, to the organ in the music gallery and the painting of the merry cavalier in the billiards room, Fyvie’s history is that of a warm welcome and fun. In honour of this history, new interpretations and experiences at Fyvie will welcome every visitor like royalty, and the castle will once again be filled with music, enjoyment and hospitality. The new lease of life for Old Home Farm speaks to the vital role these buildings once played in the estate and will once again become the beating heart of Fyvie. Across the estate, wider access and new interpretation will help tell the lost stories of Fyvie, from Robert the Bruce’s open-air court and the forgotten medieval village, to the lost Renaissance gardens and wings of the castle, as well as the changing landscape and impact of industrialisation and shifting transport networks. Fyvie’s origins as a royal fortress and its connections to prominent political figures and stories of Scotland will be retold, firmly rooting this important place in Scotland’s history.

A greener Fyvie

Each element of this project considers sustainability. Fyvie currently has one of the Trust’s highest carbon footprints – this project will change that. Restoring the estate offers the perfect opportunity to explore renewable energy and reduce environmental impact across the board. 

Be a part of Fyvie’s future

This is just the beginning. Phases 2–4 will carry on through to 2037, but the work we do now lays the foundation for everything to come. 

We can’t do it without you. 

Please donate today and help us reimagine Fyvie for the future.