Reputedly
dating back to around 1030, what stands of Delgatie today dates from 1570-9. Wings were
added in 1743, the most westerly containing a Chapel. The grounds have a garden, the
Thomson Memorial Fountain of 1918 and various carved stones.
Delgatie was taken from the
Earl of Buchan in 1314 and granted to the Hays, later Earls of Errol. Sold to Garden of
Troup in 1763, the Duff Earls of Fife later acquired the estate, but it has since returned
to Hay ownership. Mary, Queen of Scots stayed for three days in 1562.
The castle was threatened with
demolition but Captain John Hay (1906-97) decided instead to live there and commence its
restoration.
The tour of the house is
virtually an ascent of the tall spiral staircase (97 treads), visiting each room, which
extends off it. From the vaulted ground floor one visits the ballroom with oriole window,
the withdrawing room, the anteroom and Tulip Room, the latter having an old aumbry and
painted ceiling beams of 1593. There are various bedrooms to be seen, especially the
Romaise Room which has a painted ceiling of 1597. The bedroom above, called the Attock
Fort, has a painted ceiling of 1955!
Delgatie shows its antiquity,
and its owner’s interest in stonemasonry and heraldry. Various carved stones were the
work of John Hay, including Elephant corbels and coats of arms. There are a number of fine
portraits, antiques and cannon. |
