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News

HRH visits the newly refurbished Braemar Castle

29th September 2008

The Prince of Wales today congratulated a group of volunteers who are renovating a historic castle with close royal links.

His Royal Highness was shown the progress made in the refurbishment of Braemar Castle, which lies close to the royal residence of Balmoral.

The Prince has a strong interest in the preservation of heritage buildings, and set up The Prince’s Regeneration Trust to help.

The refurbishment is being carried out by Braemar Community Ltd, a group of volunteers who reopened the castle to the public earlier this year.

The Prince has visited the castle on a number of occasions, as did Queen Victoria and The Queen Mother.

It was the family home of the Farquharsons of Invercauld for two centuries as well as a garrison for troops after the Battle of Culloden.

The Prince, who wore a kilt of Gordon Highlanders tartan, was today greeted by pupils from Braemar primary school.

During his tour he was introduced to volunteers, including a couple dressed in Jacobite period dress.

In the drawing room The Prince was shown a copy of his late grandmother's signature from a visit she made on the same date in 1956. As he was shown around, he said: "I have always loved this place, the atmosphere is so nice."

Outside, The Prince told volunteers: "Many congratulations everybody - it is a wonderful achievement."

Simon Blackett, Chairman of Braemar Community Ltd, said The Prince had shown a keen interest in the refurbishment programme.

He said: "He has been here several times, and he has been following progress here with interest.

"There is wonderful work going on by the volunteers, and for them this visit is a real boost to morale.

"His family is closely connected to this place, and that is very important to us."

Volunteers began a refurbishment programme for the castle after it had been closed for three years.

Twelve rooms were refurbished, and last winter in consultation with Historic Scotland a 150-year-old extension was demolished, saving the project £100,000.

The castle reopened in May, and each weekend volunteers have cleaned, gardened, given guided tours and worked in the shop.

However, more than £1million in renovations are still required, including repairs to the roof and new reception facilities. Built in 1628 by the Earl of Mar, the castle was burned down by the Black Colonel during the first Jacobite uprising of 1689 to prevent government troops being garrisoned there.

However, after the Battle of Culloden in 1746, Braemar was leased as a garrison for Hanoverian troops keen to ensure the Jacobite cause had ended.

It was later to become family home to the Farquharsons.

Click here to find out more about The Prince's work on the Built Environment.
Click here to visit The Prince's Regeneration Trust website.