Exterior Of Castle Fraser On Visit Near Kemnay Aberdeenshire Scotland

Tour Scotland travel video, with Scottish music, of the exterior of Castle Fraser on visit near Kemnay in Aberdeenshire. This was originally a 15th century tower house which was first converted around 1576. The architect is thought to have been Thomas Leiper whose work included the addition of a round tower at the south east corner and a square tower at the north east corner of the building. Work ceased in 1588 on the death of Michael Fraser at which time only two storeys were complete. Thereafter the west end of the 15th century tower was demolished and two floors were added to the entire house with an extra storey added to the round tower. This work was carried out by master mason, John Bell, in the early 17th century. Alterations were made to the interior in 1795 which were removed after World War II. William Burn was commissioned to prepare proposals for minor alterations in 1816. The castle was passed down through the Lords Fraser, the Frasers of Inverallochy and then the Mackenzie family who took the name Mackenzie Fraser. In 1897 the last male Fraser of the direct line, Frederick Mackenzie Fraser, died childless. In 1921 his widow, Theodora, sold the castle due to the lack of a suitable heir and mounting financial difficulties. The buyer was Weetman Pearson, 1st Viscount Cowdray. The Pearson family restored the castle as a shooting lodge. The surname Fraser was first found in Tweedale, Peebles-shire, where Sir Simon Frasee held part of the lands of Keith. There is a record of Symon Fraser giving the church of Keith to the Abbey of Kelso in 1160. Early records include Gilbert Fraser, who witnessed a charter by Walter Olifard in 1210. A later Sir Simon known as " the Scottish Patriot " was a supporter of Sir William Wallace in the struggle for independence. Spelling variations of this family name include: Frazer, Fraser, Frasher, Frisell, Frasee, Frazie, Frazier, Friselle, Fresser, Friser, Fryssar, Fressell, Fresal, Fresale, Frichell, Fraysser, Fresall, Fresle, Fresill, Fressair, Fraisser and many more. All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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