Welcome back, friends! It is frigid here in Virginia this morning. So with such wintry weather (and so early in the season), I thought today I would revisit the beautiful afternoon this past May when Mr. C and I visited Inchdrewer Castle.
What a scene! I mean, how do you top this? With the rapeseed in full bloom, Inchdrewer Castle and the surrounding countryside indeed was a sight to behold.
Rapeseed, also known as rape, oilseed rape, and, in the case of one particular group of cultivars, canola, is a bright-yellow flowering member of the family Brassicaceae, cultivated mainly for its oil-rich seed. It is the third-largest source of vegetable oil and second-largest source of protein meal in the world.
-Wikipedia
Inchdrewer is a 16th-century castle located in northeast Scotland, near the town of Banff in Aberdeenshire. The Curror family built the original L-shaped tower house in 1542. Inchdrewer has an interesting history, including being attacked by Covenanter forces in 1640 and by the Duke of Cumberland during the Jacobite Rising of 1746.
The Currors sold Inchdrewer to Sir Walter Ogilvie of Dunlugas in 1557. By 1642, Lord Banff called Inchdrewer home; however, he tragically perished in a fire at the castle in 1713.
Though the fire had caused extensive damage, the Abercrombie family lived at Inchdrewer through the 1800s. Eventually, the castle was left abandoned.
Following a prolonged period of neglect, the castle was purchased in 1971 by Count Robin de la Lanne-Mirrlees. Restoration efforts were undertaken but never completed.
Though the castle has remained abandoned and neglected again in recent years, today Inchdrewer’s future looks bright. In late 2013, Russian princess and former Versace model Olga Roh and her husband Stephen purchased the castle with ambitions of turning Inchdrewer into a family home (and possibly a small luxury hotel). The new Baron and Baroness of Inchdrewer have tasked Marc Ellington to oversee the project. I don’t know about you, but you can color me green with envy!
If you get the chance to visit Inchdrewer Castle (and I hope you do!), please be mindful that you are treading on private property. Scotland’s free access code is an awesome thing, but that privilege comes with great responsibility on our part.
I hope you enjoyed today’s post, friends. See you again soon.
Cheers,
Beautiful!
It really was! Especially with the rapeseed in bloom. Thank you for your comment. 🙂
Wonderful! A fascinating place! If ever I’m back in Scotland, this has to be on my list!
Maybe by then it will be a hotel and you can stay there. Wouldn’t that be amazing? 🙂
That makes me curious what the Russian Royals will make out of this castle!
XOXO Reni
Interesting thought, Reni. I read something that said that northeast Scotland has links to Russia throughout history.
Nice one, Wendy. This looks a lovely castle to while away a few idyllic hours – and such a beautiful, remote setting. 🙂
I’m so happy I got to experience it. I don’t think a lot of people know about Inchdrewer.
I think you’re right. 🙂
What a sight set amongst that golden field! Beautiful!
It was such an unexpected surprise.
That first photo is stunning. I love finding places like this. What a great day that must have been for you.
Thank you, Darlene. The rapeseed is really prolific and gorgeous in the spring. I’m so glad we took the time to drive over there.
I was able to see Scotland for the first time this summer. I spent four days, but wish I could have stayed longer. Which tartan do you use?
That’s wonderful! Maybe you can visit again in the future and spend more time. What region did you see? To answer your question, I assume you mean the one on my web site? It is the Campbell tartan I believe. I am not a Campbell but the tartan is in the public domain, as the designer is unknown.
I spent four days in Edinburgh. Two days I went on day tours from there. Sometime I would like to go further north and see other areas like the Highlands.
The Highlands are beautiful.
What a delightful castle. It looks lovely with the canola fields. Thanks for sharing 🙂
I still can’t believe our luck, finding the castle that day amidst the fields of blooming flowers. It was an incredible moment. 🙂
George Ogilvie, is my 12th.greatgrand father’s.Im a descendent through the Patrick’s, Horrell’s,Jonstones and Forbes.
Cool! Have you had a chance to see Inchdrewer?