There can be no better place to start a romp through history than at a Medieval Scottish castle, right? This one was of particular interest to me. It is a fairly obscure castle, built in the 16thCentury in the highlands of Scotland, and served as the clan seat for Clan Menzies (pronounced like Menggies) for over 500 years.
So, what exactly fascinates me about this castle?
Well, first of all, it is located just across the River Tay from the little village of Aberfeldy, where I lived for six months in the summer of 2018 while I was researching 4thCentury Picts for my next novel. And Aberfeldy is a seriously cool Scottish highland village. You should definitely visit there sometime.
But more than that, this castle shows what life was like for average Scottish lairds. It wasn’t built to defend key strategic locations for the kingdom of Scotland, like the enormous fortifications at Edinburgh, Sterling, or St Andrews (which we will visit in other posts). No. It was built to defend against raids by other clans. It was basically a mansion house for the clan chieftain. The Scottish clans fought against each other far more often than they banded together to repel foreign invaders. The Menzies clan castles tell this story, themselves. The previous Menzies clan seat at Comrie Castle was burned down in the 1480’s by a rival clan, and the original “Place at Weem,” erected on the location of the current castle, was likewise burned down in an attack by Clan Stewart in 1502.
It may irritate some people to learn that the Menzies were not really even native Scots. The family originated in Mesnieres in Normandy, and went by the name “Manners” in England. Sir Robert de Myneris became a chamberlain to the Scottish crown in the 13thCentury at which time he was granted lands in Glen Lyon and Atholl. His son, Alexander of Strathtay, acquired the additional lands of Weem in the good, old-fashioned way – through marriage. Weem Castle, nearby to the current Castle Menzies, was built on those lands around 1488.
This castle has some intriguing architecture. There is a Victorian era wing that we will ignore for the moment. But if you look at the old part from the top, it is built in the shape of a “Z” (or a “zed” as my British friends like to say). Originally, there would have been battlements and two towers on the top. But those were replaced toward the end of the 16thCentury by turrets and dormer windows to make it look a bit more like a manor home and less like a fortress.
There are winding staircases at the corners, large open halls on each floor of the center section, bedrooms in the wings, and small turret rooms between floors that served as servants’ quarters.
A privy or two in select locations allowed the more important people of the household to relieve themselves in private (though without the convenience of running water, of course).
And a secret strongbox (or muniment) room was built under a stone trap door in the intramural (“between the walls”) adjacent to the master bedroom to protect the clan’s wealth (or at least the chief’s valuables).
The working areas of the castle are, as usual, in the basement.
The clan adroitly played both sides of the fence during Jacobite rebellion of 1745 (near and dear to the hearts of Outlanderreaders). They hosted Bonnie Prince Charlie in 1746 on his way to Culloden. And four days after he left, the Menzies opened the castle doors to the Duke of Cumberland, who commanded the forces of the British Crown. Menzies men fought on both sides of the conflict.
Much later, to commemorate the auspicious occasion of the Young Chevalier’s overnight stay, D.P. Menzies acquired the death mask of Prince Charles Edwards and had a bronze copy made. It is now proudly displayed in the room occupied by the Bonnie Prince on his trip to fame and defeat at that calamitous battle.
One other person of note associated with this Castle is Archibald Menzies, a world-renowned botanist who, in 1790, was appointed as surgeon and naturalist on board the HMS Discovery which explored the west coast of North America, China, and Hawaii under the command of Captain George Vancouver. He identified and catalogued a variety of trees, plants, and shrubs, many of which bear his name – like Pseudotsuga menziesii, otherwise known as the Douglas Fir. He was also a member of the three-man team that conducted the first recorded ascent to the summit of Mauna Loa in Hawaii.
This castle is well worth a visit. You are not hindered by being herded through the rooms as part of a guided tour, but can explore the castle at will. Plenty of information plaques are scattered about to interpret what you see, and a very helpful staff member is always available to answer questions. The clan is still active and manages these lands. You can visit their website for more information.
Site: Menzies Castle
Location: Near Aberfeldy, Perth and Kinross, the Scottish Highlands
Built: Early 16thCentury
Cool Factor (1-5): 3.5
Website: www.castlemenzies.org
Clan Menzies Website: www.menzies.org