Fyvie Castle

Fyvie Castle and the Jacobites

When the government troops marched through Fyvie on their way to Culloden, the Duke of Cumberland produced an orange and handed it to Lady Fyvie’s young son, remarking 

‘I can only hope that your son will one day prove as loyal an adherent to the House of Hanover as your brother has been to the House of Stuart’.

The boy grew up to become General William Gordon of Fyvie and proudly served both Britain and the House of Hanover. However, in 1766 he caused controversy when he had his portrait painted by Pompeo Batoni – he chose to be dressed in the illegal Huntly Gordon tartan of his mother and Jacobite uncles. This painting now hangs in the drawing room at Fyvie. Also look out for roses carved on the library fireplace – a Stuart symbol.

Brief History of Fyvie Castle

The earliest parts of Fyvie Castle date back to the 13th century, and it is a fine example of grand Scottish Baronial architecture. Some sources even claim it was built in 1211 by William the Lion. Fyvie Castle was the site of an open-air court held by Robert the Bruce, and it is also famous for the fact that Charles I lived there as a child.

After  the Battle of Otterburn in 1390, Fyvie Castle ceased to be a royal stronghold and instead fell into the possession of five successive families, who each during their time living there added a new tower to the castle.

These families were Preston, Meldrum, Seton, Gordon and Leith. The first to build a tower was the Prestons, between 1390 and 1433. The impressive Seton tower forms the entrance, and was erected in 1599 by Alexander Seton. The Gordon tower followed in 1778 , and the Leith in 1890.

Much of the castle as it stands now was the work of the Seton Earls of Dumfermline, who added the impressive main entrance, with a high arched doorway flanked by twin drum towers. The Setons were supporters of the Jacobite cause and James Seton, the last Earl of Dumfermline fought at the battle of Killiecrankie. Because of this he was forfeited and outlawed in 1690.