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National Trust for Scotland completes ‘intricate’ conservation work at iconic Crathes Castle

Painting specialist, Karen Dundas was brought in to do the work. Image: National Trust for Scotland.
Painting specialist, Karen Dundas was brought in to do the work. Image: National Trust for Scotland.

Essential conservation work on the intricately painted ceilings of Crathes Castle, worth £250,000, has been completed following a grant from Historic Environment Scotland.

The historic Aberdeenshire castle, which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, is one of only a few in the country that has intact original decoration from the Scottish Renaissance.

The grant has enabled the conservation charity to consolidate the famously painted ceilings to protect their beauty for future generations.

Three streets at Banchory's new eco village are to be named after muses in paintings at Crathes Castle. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson
Crathes Castle. Image: Scott Baxter/DC Thomson

The work has allowed conservation experts to analyse samples of the original paint to understand more about the materials, pigments, techniques used on the castle.

‘An extremely delicate procedure’

Wall painting expert, Karen Dundas said: “The work that we have done at Crathes was an extremely delicate procedure as we’re dealing with over 400 years of history and various levels of intervention.

“In spaces where early decoration survives unaltered, it was thrilling to see original designs and colours come to life as we very carefully secured and cleaned the paintings to reinstate their full glory.”

Head of grants at Historic Environment Scotland, Amy Eastwood added: “We are delighted to continue our long-established funding relationship with the National Trust for Scotland through the annual repair grant and see the great work constantly being done to preserve some of the country’s most iconic sites.

The 16th century ceilings of Crathes Castle are recognised as some of the finest surviving in Scotland. Image: Leys Estate Group

“Scotland’s heritage assets bring a whole host of benefits to local communities, from boosting economies to increasing wellbeing. We look forward to seeing the outcome of the works carried out by the trust over the next 12 months at these properties that have been part of shaping Scotland’s story.”

 

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