From palisades to palace to party pad : Understanding and conserving 800 years of Fyvie Castle
Abstract
Fyvie Castle is an A-listed building in the northeast of Scotland which is in the custodianship of the National Trust for Scotland and operated as a heritage attraction. Caring for our listed heritage buildings is an important task, one which is undertaken for the benefit of our nation and its people. This requires a conservation-led approach and a deep understanding of the site and application of conservation philosophy. The translation of philosophy into practice can, however, prove challenging and open to interpretation, particularly to the surveyor who is new to conservation. This paper explores the history and development of Fyvie Castle and demonstrates why obtaining this understanding is important in the considered response to key condition challenges. It also outlines the practical steps taken in the application of conservation philosophy to allow the development of a programme of major conservation works and considers the decisions to be made in the care of the castle.
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Author's Biography
Annie Robertson is a Chartered Building Surveyor, with Conservation Accreditation, who has worked in the heritage sector for 15 years. Annie specialises in traditional buildings, particularly those with heritage significance, and has worked in private practice covering predominantly listed buildings or buildings in conservation areas. For many years she has worked with the National Trust for Scotland, a charity with the purpose of safeguarding Scotland’s heritage. Initially serving as the Regional Surveyor covering Aberdeenshire and Angus, an area rich with castles, mansions and tower houses, Annie is now the Project Director for the Fyvie Castle and Estate Major Conservation and Masterplanning project, which seeks to undertake major conservation work at this important site.
Citation
Robertson, Annie (2025, January 1). From palisades to palace to party pad : Understanding and conserving 800 years of Fyvie Castle. In the Journal of Building Survey, Appraisal & Valuation, Volume 13, Issue 3. https://doi.org/10.69554/YQPQ5293.
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