| Fordyce Castle | |
|---|---|
| Fordyce, Aberdeenshire, Scotland | |
 Fordyce Castle | |
| Site information | |
| Type | T-plan |
| Location | |
  Fordyce Castle | |
| Coordinates | 57°39′39″N2°44′51″W / 57.6609°N 2.7474°W |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1592–1700 |
Fordyce Castle is a T-plan castle, its oldest part dating from 1592, about three miles south-west of Portsoy, in the village of Fordyce, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. [1]
The castle was built by Thomas Menzies of Durn and Cults, a former Provost of Aberdeen, [2] as an L-plan tower house. In 1700, it was extended to the present T-plan. The north wing was used as a parish school between 1716 and 1789. [3] After years of neglect, the tower has now been restored. The house has been altered internally. [1]
Thomas Menzies was knighted by James VI and I in 1620. He gave James VI and I a valuable pearl found in the Kellie burn, a tributary of the River Ythan, and the pearl was said to have been set in the crown. [4]
The main part is an L-plan castle; the 1700 addition was the west wing, at the north gable, [3] which has two storeys and an attic. [1]
The original house has three storeys and a circular stair tower. This tower is corbelled out heavily in the re-entrant angle from the second floor. It is topped with an oversail from the roof of the south wing. There are angle turrets with conical caps on the top storey. [1] Variations of cable moulding in diminishing courses terminating as foliated stop decorate the corbelling. [3]
At the foot of the circular wing, in the re-entrant angle, is the entrance. There is a vaulted basement. The stair in the main wing rises only to the first floor, ascent to the upper levels is by the south wing stair. [1] Another entrance, in the main front, and flanked by slit vents, gives access to the basement. [3]
There are four different types of shot holes, providing a wide range of fire angles. [1] In the front elevation, there is an enlarged first-floor window under relieving arch which lights the first floor hall. A similar window in the south gable has been blocked. There is a second-floor window in the front elevation, while other windows are very small and are randomly sited. The monogram of Thomas Menzies of Durn is carved on the south-west turret. [3]
The 1700 addition has three entrances, the main one being on the first floor, approached by an external forestair. [3]
The roof is of Banffshire slate. [3]
It is a category A listed building. [5]