Brodie Castle and Estate
Brodie, Forres, Morayshire, IV36 2TE
Acres of gentle Morayshire countryside surround the rose-coloured turreted National Trust for Scotland’s Brodie Castle, ancestral home of the Brodie clan for over 400 years, and now home to the spectacular National Daffodil Collection, developed by Ian Brodie, 24th Brodie of Brodie between 1899 and 1942. Ian Brodie raised tens of thousands of daffodil seedlings in his walled garden, applying a meticulous method and a ruthless precision as he strove to improve the qualities of his favourite flowers. Born in 1868 and educated at Eton and Cambridge, his career oscillated between being a professional soldier, a busy estate owner and a public figure - but it is clear that after 1899 he had a major passion for daffodils, which amounted to an obsession rather than a mere hobby.
The walled garden has more recently been developed into the Playful Garden, and still contains the fascinating National Daffodil Collection. In springtime the garden is ablaze with the hundreds of different daffodil cultivars. The Playful Garden is full of excitement for all the family and home to a fascinating menagerie of characters inspired by the castle’s quirky and colourful history, including Scotland’s biggest bunny sculpture, a favourite with the children! The Castle and Garden plays host to many exciting events during the year, including the Springtime Daffodil Festival, Summertime Historic Wheels event, Autumn Spooktacular and the ever-popular Christmas season of events.
The castle houses a magnificent collection of furniture, ceramics and artwork, including works by 17th-century Dutch masters and 20th-century Scottish Colourists. It also boasts an impressive library containing over 6,000 volumes and a rare letter from Robert the Bruce to the Brodie family. The Castle has two cafes which serve a range of delicious homemade meals and snacks, as well as a shop which adds the seasonal sale of daffodil bulbs to its quality range on offer. For more info go to nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodie-castle
Website: www.nts.org.uk/visit/places/brodie-castle
Telephone: 01309 641371
Opening times: 10.00 – 17.00 (see website for seasonal variations)
Admission costs: FREE to National Trust for Scotland members. Entry to Castle and Playful Garden Adult £15, concession £13, family £40. Playful Garden only £5 each for adults/children. (See website for full details.)
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