* Unfurnished
* Council Tax Band - H
A unique and outstanding 16th Century Castle, with great period charm, in a
stunning rural location, lovingly restored to a very high standard. It
commands panoramic views to the River Don and hill of Bennachie close to
Paradise, a famous Aberdeenshire beauty spot. It has Six/Seven Bedrooms,
Bathroom and Shower Rooms, 3 Public Rooms including the Great Hall with open
fire: Adjacent to the Great Hall in the tower is the Lairds Dining room and on
the fourth floor the Long Gallery with Minstrel Gallery. The ground floor
comprises 1. The kitchen, 2. A small dining room, and 3. A cloakroom/utility
room. The castle has oil−fired central heating and is currently unfurnished,
however it could be part furnished.
Pitfichie Castle is situated in approximately 3 acres of grounds to the
north−west of Monymusk, and is 21 miles from the centre of Aberdeen. The
village of Monymusk has a primary school, hotel, art gallery and historic
church. Secondary schooling is available in the village of Kemnay, four miles
away. There is an International School in Aberdeen (For school bus pick−up
points, please contact the School Office). Inverurie is the nearest town, with
a wide range of shopping, recreational and leisure facilities. The City of
Aberdeen is easily accessible and has a mainline railway station. The airport
with both domestic and international connections, is approximately
half−an−hour−s drive from the Castle.
The History
In the 14th Century the lands of Pitfichie belonged to the ancient family of
Hurry or Urrie, possibly descended from Hugo de Urre and Maulcolum de Ouree of
Normandy. Major General Sir John Hurry, son of the last Hurry Laird of
Pitfichie, was the famous Civil War free−lance soldier, who was defeated by
the Duke of Montrose at Auldearn in 1645. He then changed sides and served
under the Duke of Montrose during the last forlorn attempt of Carbiesdale and
was hanged in Edinburgh on 29th May 1650. Though born at Pitfichie he was
never its Laird. In 1597 Pitfichie was sold to John Cheyne of Fortrie who
during a short but illustrious career became M. P. For Aberdeen. Pitfichie
remained in the Cheyne family until about 1650, when it was purchased by the
Forbeses of Monymusk. Lady Jean Keith, daughter of Earl of Kintore, married
William Forbes, eldest son of the Laird of Monymusk, and lived at Pitfichie
(with their household in the castle being recorded in the Poll Book of 1696).
On his father−s death in 1708, William inherited the Monymusk Estate and moved
to Monymusk House. The Jacobite Connection: William−s step brother John
Forbes, an ardent Jacobite, inherited Pitfichie, being known thereafter as
Jacobite John of Pitfichie. He married Susanne Morrison in 1704 and they
produced 11 children. As official tax collector for Aberdeenshire he
vigorously assisted the Earl of Mar (Commander−in−Chief of the Scottish
forces) to raise cash for the 1715 Jacobite Rising. The cause lost, he fled to
Holland in 1716 and is believed to have perished at sea. His widow, having
struggled to bring up her large family, was subsequently forced to give up
Pitfichie. Pitfichie is thought to have been built about 1564 during the reign
of Mary Queen of Scots. The castle consists of a rectangular tower house with
a large round tower attached to its southern corner. It is regarded as an
intermediate link between the simple oblong tower and the fully developed Z
plan.
The castle was unroofed in 1769 and remained a ruin until it was purchased by
Colin Wood, of Aberdeen in 1977. Colin acquired the services of a notable
castle specialist, Slesser Troup, Master Mason, and a small team of skilful
craftsmen. The restoration, which began in 1978, was completed in 1986.
Pitfichie, which had been described by leading experts as an irremediable
ruin, had finally been returned to its former glory. 81166/110/13590
Deposit: £3, 500

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