The Scottish Fortress That Inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle Has Been Restored
Since the opening of Walt Disney World in 1971, Cinderella Castle has been one of the most recognizable buildings in the world.
While the Walt Disney World version of the castle was based on the animated film, the history of the structure goes back much further.
Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, is believed to be the inspiration behind the now iconic castle.
While the Disney version of the castle remains pristine, Craigievar Castle has been worn down by time and faded.
Craigievar Castle
Now, however, the National Trust for Scotland (NTS) has completed extensive conservation work that they say will protect the historic building from the effects of climate change.
In order to refresh the building, multiple coats of a special recipe of limewash were added to the building’s walls to refresh the colors.
NTS also said that they added, “small and discrete adaptations to the roof which will future-proof the castle against wetter winters.”
Gille Young, the NTS regional conservator, explained the importance of the project.
“It’s really important we look after this castle,” she said.
“If we look after the building, then the collections inside are looked after as well. It’s going to be really positive, particularly for the local community who look up from the main road and see this beautiful pink castle which glows at the best of times.
A Historic Monument
Craigievar Castle was built by the Mortimers of Craigievar between 1575 and 1595.
Initially, the castle did not have its iconic turrets but instead had a much plainer upper level.
The castle, as it appears now, was completed by Willaim Frobes around 1626. Due to the skill of the architect-masons, it is not immediately apparent that Craigievar was built in two faces.
The Forbes family resided in the building for 300 years. They placed it in the care of the National Trust for Scotland in the 1960s.
Now, the structure should be around for generations to come.
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