We have begun a multi-million-pound masterplan to transform Fyvie Castle.
The castle has passed through some of the most powerful families in Scotland over the ‘five ages of Fyvie’: the Prestons, the Meldrums, the Setons, the Gordons and the Forbes-Leiths.
In 1984, we took on the care of the castle on behalf of the nation and opened it to the public in 1986.
Now, Fyvie is about to embark on its ‘sixth age’ as we have launched a masterplan that will see us carry out essential conservation work to the A-listed castle and transform the B-listed, at-risk Old Home Farm complex in the estate grounds into a welcoming visitor hub.
The ambitious project was developed with support from a design team, led by conservation and regeneration specialists Page\Park architects. It will be delivered in phases and is expected to take at least a decade to implement in full, with the first phase completed by 2027 at a cost of circa £5 million.
Initial conservation works at the 800-year-old castle will address critical issues – such as decay to the carved stonework, including the iconic 16th-century finials (figures playing sports and musical instruments) that stand atop the turrets on the castle’s roofline.
The new Visitor Hub will house a new café, exhibition, conference space, retail offering, and skills and workshop spaces, with the restoration showcasing the importance of the Old Home Farm buildings as the beating heart of the historic estate.
Visitors will be able to access some parts of the estate, including the Victorian stables, for the first time. The first phase will also include work to improve footpaths, extend access and provide natural heritage engagement opportunities, while seeking to begin reducing carbon emissions and support positive climate action.
The planned level of investment will necessitate major international fundraising, working with local communities, individuals and organisations who share our passion for Fyvie, its stories and innovative conservation practices.
Once the first phase is complete, we will then move to the next phases of the project, which will include:
- Protecting and showcasing the ‘treasures of Fyvie’ – the internationally significant collection of art, antiquities, objects and furniture, including an outstanding collection of works by Sir Henry Raeburn and the stylish portrait of General William Gordon by Batoni. We will re-display sculptures that have not been seen by the public in decades (due to conservation requirements) and reintroduce the lost tradition of art and sculpture to the the landscape.
- A major programme of conservation repairs to the castle to stabilise structural issues to the castle’s main façade, along with work to upgrade essential building services and to protect the fragile interiors and the ornate panelling and plasterwork.
- An enlivened visitor experience at the castle, with new storytelling and interpretation celebrating the property’s long history of warmth and hospitality.
- Significant work around nature conservation to enhance the estate, providing wider access through an improved and extended footpath network and creating new areas for play, learning and discovery.
- Improving the property’s environmental sustainability, through the adoption of renewable technology, along with improvements to reduce consumption and emissions through designed and nature-based solutions.
- Delivering a programme of skills training, learning and engagement, and reconnecting the estate to local and regional communities as well as creating connections with national and international visitors alike.
Annie Robertson, the National Trust for Scotland’s Project Director for Fyvie said:
‘There is a tremendous need for essential conservation as well as visionary improvement work to be undertaken at Fyvie over the next decade, ranging from saving Old Home Farm, protecting the castle and its important collection, and providing learning, play and discovery to visitors, young and old. We are also entrenching sustainable practices into the project that will contribute to the Trust’s Net Zero ambitions and protect it for future generations.
The masterplan for Fyvie Castle, Garden & Estate sets out a grand vision that touches upon every aspect of this place.
‘One of the most important aspects for me is the degree of engagement we have already enjoyed with the local community, especially local groups including schools, universities and learning organisations, as we developed the plan. It’s our aim to ensure that the reimagined Fyvie Castle will provide considerable benefit to the regional economy and local community and that we have the opportunity to offer skills training and employment as we move ahead.’
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