Castle Menzies

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Castle Menzies

Castle Menzies in Scotland is home of the Clan Menzies. It is located a little to the west of the small village of Weem, near Aberfeldy in the Highlands of Pertshire.

The sixteenth century castle, restored by the Menzies Clan Society, was the seat of the Chiefs of Clan Menzies for over 400 years (open in summer; entrance charge). Strategically situated, it was involved in the turbulent history of the Highlands. Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Stuart Pretender to the throne, rested for two nights in the Castle on his way to the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

The restored castle is an example of an architectural transition between that of an earlier rugged fortress and a later mansion house. The walls are of random rubble, originally harled (roughcast), but the quoins, turrets and door and window surrounds are of finely carved blue freestone. This attractive and extremely hard-weathering stone was also used for the architectural details and monuments of the nearby Old Kirk of Weem, which was built by the Menzies family and contains their monuments and funeral hatchments (key from neighbouring cottage).