Scaffolding goes up so ‘fairytale’ castle can be in the pink again

A “FAIRYTALE” castle said to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle has been swathed in pink mesh to protect it during a major conservation project.

Work is beginning early this year to restore the pink rough-cast wall finish at Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire and protect it from rain and climate change.

The finish at the National Trust for Scotland property was successfully replaced in 2009 but changing weather patterns caused by global warming mean additional conservation and maintenance is needed to ensure the building can withstand the increasingly wet and extreme weather.

Scaffolding has been put around the building and swathed in pink mesh seven storeys high to protect it during the work, which is expected to take about 12 months.

Iain Hawkins, regional director, said: “Craigievar holds a special place in the hearts and minds of the local community, across Scotland and indeed globally, thanks in no small part to the castle’s famous pink exterior, introduced in 1824 by Sir John Forbes.

“It’s our duty to ensure that this much-loved castle is protected against climate change in a way that is sympathetic to the natural environment and heritage of this magnificent building.

“As a conservation charity, we rely on donations and membership support to care for and share special places like Craigievar Castle, so we have launched a Pink Again fundraising campaign to support these vital works.

“If you want to help us keep this enchanting castle safe from rainwater ingress and ensure that visitors can continue to fall in love with Craigievar for many generations to come, please consider donating to our campaign.

“We can’t wait to unveil this fairytale castle’s refresh in 2024 and can assure our visitors, supporters and members that all the hard work will be very much worth it, bringing joy to future generations.”

During the conservation work multiple coats of a special recipe of limewash will be applied to the walls to refresh the colour.

Visitors will be treated to a grand reveal in the spring of 2024 when the new exterior is unveiled.