The Scottish Pink Castle, the inspiration for Disney, has finally reopened after a major maintenance project

Craigievar Castle, home of the iconic pink tower in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which is believed to have inspired Walt Disney’s fantasy castles, will reopen to the public on May 31, 2024, following an extensive 18-month conservation project led by the National Trust for Scotland (NTS).

Here’s a behind-the-scenes video of the conservation project.

Note: For more information about the castle itself and its rich history, watch the video below this article.

The castle, aka “Cinderella Castle in Scotland” Because of its distinctive pink colour, it has undergone a careful restoration process to protect its structure and precious collections from the effects of climate change.

The 1.5 million pounds sterling “Pink again” The project, funded by NTS members, supporters and grants from Historic Environment Scotland, aims to revive the castle’s distinctive color and provide the best protective conditions for its magnificent plaster ceilings and original 17th-century ensembles.

During the project, a team of restoration experts and specialist contractors from Harper & Allan applied more than 13,000 liters of a special limewash recipe – enough to fill a small swimming pool – to restore the castle’s rosy exterior.

Limewashing, a traditional technique used on old walls to prevent condensation and dampness, consists of lime paste, water and a secret blend of earth pigments to achieve the iconic look. “Craigvar Pink.”

In addition to the exterior work, the team made discreet changes to the building’s details and slate roofs to better shed rain and snow.

The project also included repairs to the castle and the preservation of the Barmkin Wall, one of the few remaining examples of this traditional protective boundary in Scotland.

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James Henderson, NTS Operations Director at Craigievar, expressed the charity’s excitement at welcoming visitors again, saying: “Our charity can’t wait to continue telling Craigievar’s story, and we are extremely proud that the National Supporters Trust for Scotland and the project team have ensured there are many more chapters to come.”

Ian Hawkins, NTS Regional Director for the North East, stressed the importance of the project, saying: “The Craigievar Castle and Pink Again project perfectly embodies the ambitious and wide-ranging activity of the National Trust for Scotland to protect, nurture, share and talk about Scotland’s precious heritage, in support of our vision of nature, beauty and heritage for all.”

Visitors to Craigievar Castle can experience daily tours without artificial light, allowing them to view the castle’s interiors and collections as the Forbes family did for 300 years.

The castle’s elevated position close to the Cairngorms also provides stunning views over Aberdeenshire and Royal Deeside. Tour tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis, with limited numbers each day.

The reopening of Craigievar Castle represents a major milestone in the preservation of Scotland’s cultural heritage and ensures that future generations can continue to enjoy this magical piece of history that has captivated visitors from all over the world, including the legendary Walt Disney.

reference: National Trust for Scotland

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