Fiddes

#160 Castle of Fiddes
Near Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire, Scotland
1592
This is NOT an official Lego site

The Castle of Fiddes is a late 16th century L-plan tower house of three stories and a garret. There is a round tower at the south-west corner of the main block, corbelled out square and capped by a corbiestepped watch chamber. Another round stair tower in the re-entrant angle contains the entrance and staircase to the hall level. A third stair-turret projects from the middle of the north wall. It is also capped with a corbelled-out watch chamber. Bartizans with conical roofs crown three corners of the castle. The vaulted basement is pierced by several shot holes, and contains the wine cellar and kitchen, which has a large fireplace and oven. There is a narrow staircase leading to the hall. The upper floors contain a private chamber, a second hall and several bed chambers.

The castle was built in 1592 by the Arbuthnotts, probably either Andrew Arbuthnott, 15th of Arbuthnott (1533-1606) or one of his sons, Sir Robert (1554-1631), an MP, or James (d. 1606). The castle and property were sold to the Thomsons of Arduthie in the late 17th century, and at some point the castle became derelict (see pictures dated about 1905). By 1954 some restoration had been done (see second row of pictures - with windows in place), but major restoration occurred in the 1960s. The Castle of Fiddes is now a working farm, with the owner a member of the Scottish Castle Association.

Photos of the Lego Model Under construction in early September, 2017

On September 1, construction begins with the base laid out.	Original ground floor windows and shot holes/slits are identified and placed.	The next day the first floor is completed...	...with the base of the corner bartizans just visible.


On September 3 the tower rises through the 2nd story.	The castle becomes more impressive by the day!	The castle is ready for a roof on September 4.	The next pictures will be the completed tower below!

Photos of the Lego Model Built September, 2017

Here is the completed Castle of Fiddes, looking from the east.	The only door is protected by a shot hole and balcony above.	The south view is what you would see driving into the castle yard.	The southwest watch tower is set at a 45° angle to the main block.


The west view features the 3rd corner bartizan.	Many of the classic features of a Scottish tower can be appreciated from the NW.	The north side high- lights the stair/watch \turret in the center of the wall.	Finally the view from the NE features the chimneys, the largest above the kitchen.


In this series of...	...pictures from the 1950s...	...basic remodeling is done...	...with windows, and a definite...	..."lived-in" look.


Elevation	Elevation	Elevation	Elevation


This picture is from a 1905 postcard.	Windowless tower at a similar time.

Build Your Own

Lego Ground and Roof Plan	Lego First Floor Plan