Castle Menzies

Castle Menzies is 32 miles northwest of Perth, 2 miles west of Aberfeldy.

This Castle was built in the 1500s for Clan Menzies. It also contains a small museum for Clan MacGregor.

The Castle can be visited 1st April until end of October, from 10.30 a.m. until 5.00 p.m. There is an entrance fee. Postcode: PH15 2JD

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The Image top is from the long drive into Castle Menzies.

The tour starts at the Old Kitchen and Cafe.

The Video Room gives information on the Castle and the Menzies Clan.

You can just wander around the Castle viewing rooms over three floors with many notice boards giving information on each room.

Castle Menzies History

1100s - the Menzies are believed to have moved from Mesnieres in Normandy /France to Scotland during the reign of King David I. The Scots encouraged French families known for their military skills to relocate.

The first Menzies were granted lands in Lothian and Atholl.

1100s - Sir Alexander Menzies gained land at Aberfeldy and Weem.

1100s - Menzies had a Tower House known as Comrie Castle built 4 miles east of where Castle Menzies stands today.

1300s early - the Menzies supported Robert the Bruce during the first War of Scottish Independence. After Bruce officially became King of Independent Scotland in 1326, the Menzies gaining more land and wealth.

1487 - Comrie Castle was ruined by fire.

1488 - Sir Robert Menzies, 11th Baron Menzies, built Weem Castle close to where Castle Menzies is today.

1502 - Nigel Stewart of Garth Castle, 6 miles west, took Sir Robert Menzies prisoner and set fire to Weem Castle.

Stewart threatened to kill Menzies unless he signed some of his lands over to him. Stewart avoided execution for that crime, but was imprisoned in Garth Castle after being accused of murdering his wife Mariota. Stewart remained a prisoner until his death in 1554.

Neighbouring Clans in Scotland were regularly fighting over land and cattle. This is why they lived in this size of family Castle, not to try and hold back a massive English army, just to prevent their neighbour's from murdering them in the night. Some disputes are known to have lasted around 500 years. Marriage was often used to end long running feuds.

Only a few of the larger fortress Castles in Scotland such as Stirling and Edinburgh had a chance of holding back the huge English armies.

1500s - Castle Menzies was built for the Clan Menzies, close to the ruins of Weem Castle. Much of the stonework from Weem Castle would have been used to built Castle Menzies.

1689 - the Catholic King James II Stuart was overthrown by his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband to be William, who became Mary II and William II. James was the last Catholic Monarch in Britain. This started the Jacobite Risings.

Clan Menzies often supported the Jacobite Risings, trying to have the Catholic Stuart's returned to the throne.

1715 - Jacobite forces used Castle Menzies in the Second Jacobite Rising.

1733 - General Wade built the Military Bridge at Aberfeldy to help Government Troops to patrol the area. These Troops were given the task of preventing Highland Clans from revolting against Kings.

1740 - the Black Watch regiment was set up at Aberfeldy. This regiment played a major role in putting down revolts, becoming one of the most famous regiments in the history of Scotland.

1746 - Prince Charlie stayed at Castle Menzies for 2 nights during the Third Jacobite Rising. A few days later, he was defeated at the Battle of Culloden, the last Jacobite battle. Castle Menzies was then taken over to house Government Troops.

1780s on - the surgeon, botanist and naturalist Archibald Menzies takes part in world explorations, including on the ship HMS Discovery. He was credited with discovering a number of plants.

This was a time landowners were keen to have exotic plants and trees from around the world planted on their estates.

1840 - a new west wing was added to Menzies Castle.

1910 - Sir Neil Menzies died without leaving an heir.

1914 - the Menzies estates were sold at auctioned by trustees. The Castle fell into ruin after this time.

1957 - Castle Menzies was bought by the Menzies Clan Society for restoration to serve as a Museum.

1972 - extensive restoration work was carried out over the following years.

1990 - the West Wing was restored.

1993 - ownership of the Castle, Walled Garden, and the Menzies Mausoleum in the Old Kirk of Weem were transferred to the Menzies Charitable Trust.

Many of the Menzies are buried at the Old Kirk of Weem.

1995 - the first Menzies Clan Society dinner was held at the Castle.

2011 - the Clan MacGregor Room was opened at Menzies Castle, giving information on this other prominent Clan from the area, with Rob Roy MacGregor being the most famous of this Clan.