The Castles of Clan Smith

Clan Smith is a powerful family who have held many suitably grand homes. Come with us to explore a few of the scenic sites that shaped the Smiths’ fascinating history.

One particularly striking spot shows the clan managing to find beauty in destruction. In 1874, John Guthrie Smith gained the leasehold of the old Mugdock Castle, which had been in the hands of Clan Graham intermittently since the mid-13th century. 

In the early 1660s, the Grahams had regained the castle, which had been largely destroyed by a rival clan, and built a grand mansion within the old walls. When Smith took over Mugdock, he made the bold decision to have this building demolished, commissioning architects Campbell Douglas and Sellars to design a contemporary and stylish Scottish baronial house. 

The one surviving tower of the castle was incorporated into the new design via a first-floor passage set over a wide-arched bridge. The house itself was 3 storeys high and in a classic l shape. The grand front entrance faced south-west and framed a small but charming courtyard. 

Aerial view of Mugdock Castle by Andrew Shiva

During World War II, Mugdock once again played a fascinating role in history, as it was claimed by the government for use in the war effort. Following this, in 1945, Hugh Fraser, owner of the famous House of Fraser, bought Mugdock Castle. Unfortunately, the 19th century mansion along with the remaining 16th century outbuildings, burned down in 1966. Luckily, Mugdock’s story was not quite over yet. 

In 1981, Hugh Fraser’s son, Sir Hugh Fraser, 2nd Baronet, gifted the estate to Central Regional Council to use as a country park for the use and enjoyment of local people. 

Today, this land is known as Mugdock Country Park, a beloved beauty and leisure spot. If you are looking for a way to connect with Clan Smith’s history, planning a trip to Mugdock would be the perfect idea!

Visitors can explore the castle remains, enjoy the café, play park, and visitor centre, or seek adventure on the many thrilling cycle paths around the grounds. 

Our next castle for today served as Clan Smith’s ancestral seat for many years. 

Located near the village of Methven, a few miles west of Perth, Methven Castle looks out on a calm and idyllic landscape, but it once oversaw long periods of turbulent political conflict. 

The Mowbray family, owners of the lands of Methven from the early 12th century, fought for John Balliol against Robert the Bruce. When Robert defeated his enemy, he confiscated Methven from the Mowbrays as punishment, and gave it to his son in law, Walter Stewart. 

The castle then went on to welcome several prestigious visitors, with King James IV staying numerous times in the 1490s. It was consequently given to his bride, Margaret Tudor, in 1503. 

Methven Castle by Douglas Nelson

In 1664, Patrick Smythe of Braco purchased the estate, bringing a home with an impressively noble history to Clan Smith! The Smythes were influential landowners in Perthshire, and they quickly got to work transforming Methven into a comfortable and stylish stronghold. 

The mansion consists of a square, 4-storey main block, with classic circular towers at each corner, and the Smythes continued to make additions throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. In around 1815, they added a western extension with a bay window, likely designed by the iconic James Gillespie Graham.

The family also planted extensive woodlands, and commissioned a quaint walled garden. The largest surviving tree is thought to be over 500 years old! 

The Smythe family maintained possession of Methven Castle until 1923, when it was sold, changing hands several times until Kenneth Murdoch acquired it in 1984, and began a large restoration project. He demolished the east wing, leaving only the 17th century house, which he gave a new roof. 

Today, the castle is still privately owned, and not open to the public, but it remains a significant landmark in Clan Smith’s history.

Our final site for today is one of the spookier locations connected to Clan Smith!

Situated near the village of Fyvie, close to Turriff in Aberdeenshire, Fyvie Castle is steeped in centuries of Scottish history and legend. The castle itself is believed to date back to the early 13th century and is traditionally associated with the infamous William the Lion, who is thought to have visited with the high officers of his court.

It is also known to have hosted several other notable figures, including Robert the Bruce, who held an open-air court in the grounds, and the future Charles I of England, who spent time at Fyvie during his childhood.

The castle is perhaps best known, however, for the haunting romantic legend involving a local woman named Agnes Smith, who according to tradition was the daughter of a miller at nearby Tifty. 

The story goes that, in the 17th century, Agnes fell in love with Andrew Lammie, the castle’s trumpeter and servant of Laird Fyvie. Tragically, Agnes’ family strongly disapproved of the match, believing that she should find someone of higher social status. 

It is also said that the Laird of Fyvie desired Agnes for himself and, on learning of the budding relationship between the young couple, had Andrew seized and transported to the West Indies. Heartbroken, Agnes died soon after. 

Fyvie Castle by Alan Findlay

Years later, Andrew managed to escape and returned to Scotland, driven by longing to reunite with his love. On arriving, he discovered that Agnes had died not long after his forced departure. It is said that he was overcome with grief, and died soon after from the shock and heartbreak.

Legend goes that, before his death, he swore that the sound of trumpets would forever haunt the Lairds of Fyvie, to remind them of the suffering they had caused and the tragic injustice he suffered. 

Soon after Andrew’s death, reports began to circulate of a phantom trumpeter haunting the castle, with eerie music echoing through the long hallways at night. 

Witnesses have also claimed to see the shadowy figure of a tall man dressed in rich tartan near the castle walls, disappearing whenever approached.

The tragic tale of Agnes and Andrew later inspired a traditional Scottish ballad known as ‘The Mill of Tifty’s Annie’, sometimes also called ‘Andrew Lammie.’ Written by an anonymous poet in the late 19th century, the song helped preserve the story and spread the legend beyond Aberdeenshire.

Fyvie Castle is open for visitors, the perfect day trip for history buffs and Clan Smith fans alike! Would you be brave enough to risk facing the phantom trumpeter? 

We hope you feel a bit closer to the fascinating Clan Smith now you have discovered a few of the sites that played significant roles in their long and winding past. Be sure to let us know if you think we’ve missed anywhere! 

 

To find out more about all things Smith, head to our Clan Smith page, or dive into more of our recent content. 

Image Sources:

Mugdock Castle Aerial View by Andrew Shiva / Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 

Farmland at Methven Castle, taken Saturday, 2 May, 2015 © Douglas Nelson (cc-by-sa/2.0) 

Fyvie Castle by Alan Findlay, CC BY-SA 2.0