The
interior of the Castle is just as stunning as the exterior and
grounds.
On
the ground floor there is the original vaulted rooms with tiny
windows and extremely thick walls.
This
floor consists of the original kitchen with its massive fireplace,
and one room contains a small cell used for locking up temporarily
those offenders who were waiting to be tried by the Laird in the
hall above.
Moving
carefully up the staircase - the eleventh step is a 'trip' step
which gave added protection against strangers bursting up into
the main rooms.
The
"High Hall", is one of the most important rooms in the
Castle and has changed much over the years. The room contains
many family portraits and sections of the handpainted ceilings
still remain, along with many historic artifacts throughout the
years, including the helmet and chainmail above the a fireplace,
whose origin remains a mystery.
Crathes
Castle is renowned for its painted ceilings dating from the 16th
and early 17th Centuries. This along with hand painted wall friezes
and majestic tapestries make the interiors something remarkable.
The
Green Lady's Room owes its name to the legendary ghost of Crathes,
sighted occasionally even in the 1980's.
It
was the 4th Baronet who developed an obsessive fear of ghosts,
but it was a hundred years after his death that during some alterations
a child's skeleton was uncovered in a small recess under the hearth
stone.
According to some the Green Lady does carry a baby in her arms
and the story goes of a young girl under the Laird's protection
being cruelly used by a male retainer.
As
if to drive home the message of human frailty the ceiling paintings
are a mixture of grotesque faces, weird designs and appropriate
advice such as " Flie sone all naughtie companie" and
"From fools no freindship crave".
There
are many other fascinating rooms and areas in the Castle, each
with their own unique stories of history to tell.
For
example, the Long Gallery with its rare oak paneled ceiling -
the only one of its kind to survive in Scotland, outside of the
the three Royal Palaces.
The
Muses Room where sixteen female figures adorn the beautifully
painted ceilings as inspiration in this work-room - nine Muses
and seven Virtues.
The
various bedrooms and halls boast an impressive collection of decorations,
furniture and artifacts from across the centuries.
Another
magnificent aspect of Crathes Castle is the eight small and individual
gardens within the main walled garden.
For
more information on Highland Wedding at Crathes Castle Scotland,
Highland Castles and any wedding venue in the Highlands of Scotland
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