Reimagining Fyvie Castle
Donate nowWe’re launching an ambitious multi-phase project to secure Fyvie’s future, starting with urgent conservation and restoration works. This first phase (2025-2029) aims to preserve the castle’s structure, revitalise Old Home Farm, and open Fyvie’s green spaces for everyone to enjoy.
Fyvie Castle is among the largest and most impressive castles in Scotland. For over 800 years, it has been a place where stories, art, and architecture have come together. However, time is taking its toll, and we must act now.
Why Fyvie matters
A medieval royal stronghold transformed into a family home, Fyvie is internationally significant. It’s renowned for its architecture and extraordinary art collection, as well as its unique folklore and place in the community. Generations have shaped Fyvie’s legacy. Today, we need your help to protect it for the future.
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.
Inside, the story is just as urgent. Intricate plasterwork ceilings and timber panelling are deteriorating. The castle and its treasures are at risk.
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.
Did you know?
Fyvie’s internationally significant collection includes 2,069 objects dating from the 17th century and earlier, including 185 paintings, 40 sculptures, 500 furniture items, 1,000 books and Scotland’s largest 16th-century wheel stair.
Alexander Forbes-Leith, a steel tycoon who bought Fyvie in 1889, curated the collection and included at least one painting by all of the ‘major greats.’ The collection is an outstanding contribution to the history of art in Scotland.
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, lochs, 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. 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 children and young people.
A greener Fyvie
Each element of this project considers sustainability. Fyvie currently has one of the Trust’s highest carbon footprints, and 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.