This early17^th century castle, which has been closed to the public since 2005, is now in the care of the village of Braemar. Local landowners, the Farquharsons of Invercauld, have handed the castle over to the community on a 50 year lease.

The re-opening was celebrated by a fete in the grounds and Steve Robertson of "Scotland the What"  officially opened the Castle.

Saturday 3^rd May was a day out for all the family, with community groups from the village there to make sure that there was something for everyone to enjoy from face painting to a human fruit machine! There was mini caber tossing from the Junior Highland Games team, having a go at welly wanging, archery, grass sledging and fun races. The local Fire engine was there and members of the Mountain Rescue Team, a Jacobite encampment and a chance to meet the Giant from the Braemar Pantomime. A programme of children’s highland dancing and country and line dancing from the Castleton Dancers, as well as entertainment from Braemar Primary School was ongoing throughout the afternoon. The Book Club’s second hand book stall did a roaring trade as did the tombola and raffles. Teas, coffees and ice-cream were on sale with home-bakes from the WRI and on the barbecue, the local butcher’s award winning sausages and burgers. The Ballater & District Pipe Band, sponsored by the Braemar Royal Highland Society, played throughout the afternoon.

To view pictures of the day click HERE

We’re there – we’re re-opening!

Well - we’re re-opening, and we’re nearly there, with phase 1 of the 10 year plan! But it’s a brilliant start.

as well as performing acrobatics to remove damaged harling from one of the towers

February 2008 Update

The snowdrops are peeping through in the courtyard, a timely confirmation that new life is beginning in the castle.

May is now confirmed as the opening date and opening hours, prices, guiding, shop and staffing are currently under discussion with everyone invited to pitch in their thoughts at an open meeting in the Hall on Thursday 28^th February.

Inside, the new carpet (which previously resided in the Highlander) has been laid in the Laird’s Dressing room. The blue and green of the carpet tone beautifully with the new dark green paint and the room has a welcoming, lived-in ambience.

The Rose room will be re-painted shortly and will become the "Exhibition" area in the Castle. The first exhibition will be provided by Historic Scotland and the room will then house travelling exhibitions and art and photographic displays so that those returning to the Castle will always have something new to see. Flagstones to replace the concrete floor at the back door of the Castle have been sourced and will be laid over the next few weeks.

The bottleneck dungeon has been cleared out and inspected by the Regional Archaeologist (no bodies found!) and the well between the Castle and the curtain wall has been uncovered and will also be emptied.

September has seen terrific progress on the dismantling of the Victorian wing. At the beginning of the month it was hard to see an end to such an enormous task but thanks to the sterling efforts of volunteers, now not much remains.

Two bedrooms have been identified to focus effort on, both in the north east wing. One is the Laird’s bedroom and the other is directly below. First task will be to get these room re-painted. Rachel Wells will be co-ordinating what’s happening when. If you’d like to get involved give Rachel a ring on 41292 - or – just turn up at the Castle between 1230 and 1630 on Sunday afternoons.

Work has also been continuing weeding and tidying the entrance courtyard and garden and volunteers’ gardens are being raided for spare herbaceous cuttings to fill up the borders.

At Braemar Community Ltd Annual General Meeting on Tuesday 25^th September, Chairman, Simon Blackett, reported that the initial Castle feasibility study is now complete and an application to the Heritage Lottery Fund for pre-restoration funding to pay for a conservation plan, audience study and business plan is currently being considered. A draft Business plan for 2007 – 2010 has already been drawn up by BCL.

The removal of the Victorian wing has been ongoing and volunteers have removed and stored hundreds of roof slates from this section. Work is now continuing to remove the timber roof lining and rafters and to clear that area completely. This is a slow process and it looks likely that it will be well through October, even into November, before the removal of this wing is complete. On Sunday 19^th August, local volunteers were unexpectedly joined by an energetic group of nine Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award students from all over England. They were an orderly and disciplined workforce who formed a chain-gang (outside the on-going work area) and were able to assist in the moving and storing of a considerable quantity of timber. Their assistance was greatly appreciated. (If you’d like to lend a hand ring Bill Marshall on 41695 and he’ll let you know what tools to bring.)

Fundraising has also been ongoing with "Save Braemar Castle – Help!" t-shirts now available at £10 for adults and £6 for children. It’s this season’s fashion item to be seen wearing in the village! Get yours, now.

The plan was to sell the t-shirts on Games Day but the fee for a Trader’s Licence is a steep £155 per person (although it does last for 3 years from the same venue) and would have knocked a large hole in any profits. Andrew Braidwood at the Gallery generously came to the rescue agreeing to sell the T-shirts in the Gallery (Community bobby Craig McNeill kept us right on the protocols and John Macpherson kindly lent his Gazebo).

Volunteers staffed a display outside illustrating and explaining the ongoing work at the castle as well as promoting the t-shirts. Profit on the t-shirts is currently running at around £600 – buy yours and make it more!

Other fundraising ventures coming up in the Autumn include a Race Night and also a Ceilidh. Look out for dates.

At the end of August, Braemar Community Ltd, and consequently also Braemar Castle, finally (after a long slow haul) attained full Charitable status.

The AGM of Braemar Community Ltd will be held on Tuesday 25^th September in the Village Hall. As well as the Business you’ll be able to hear, and ask about, the latest developments at the Castle as well as catching up with plans for the next few months. T-shirts will be on sale

Doreen Wood - 4/9/07