Experts have revealed the secret methods they have been using to restore the famous Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire to its pink glory.
The castle is world famous as it is thought to have inspired Walt Disney’s Cinderella Castle.
But the iconic Aberdeenshire landmark has been under a seven-storey pink protective mesh and scaffolding for months.
It is currently undergoing an extensive restoration, which began back in January.
Experts from the National Trust for Scotland (NTS), who are managing the operation, have revealed the steps they have been taking to make the castle look as good as new.
What makes Craigievar Castle pink?
The castle was completed in the Scottish Baronial style in 1626, It is situated about six miles south of Alford.
It was originally an off-white colour, only gaining its signature pink finish in 1824 when the laird instructed it should be added to make it the same colour as the granite detailing.
NTS experts say it will take two coats of white limewash and then five coats of pink to get Craigievar back to its usual hue.
Limewash is the traditional method of finishing ancient walls and is used instead of paint to help prevent condensation and dampness by allowing the castle to breathe.
A secret recipe with precise measurements of lime putty, water and pink pigment is used to coat the walls with a brush.
But because the castle’s walls are worn at varying speeds, experts will not be painting it entirely the same otherwise it would quickly appear patchy.
Why is the Craigievar Castle work needed?
In the 1970s, the NRS were keen to use modern materials to renovate the castle and used cement on its outer walls.
Although it was good at keeping the water out, it also kept a lot of water inside.
Damp became a consistent problem, as the cement functioned like a plastic bag all over the castle.
It began to sweat and its valuable collections started to get mouldy.
To solve the problem, the NTS returned to what was initially used in 1820 – a traditional lime-based harling.
Over the course of 2008 to 2009, the slaked lime and coarse aggregate mortar replaced the cement all over the building which allowed the building to breathe again.
Experts say the collections have “improved exponentially” since then.
Craigievar Castle remains popular with tourists
Due to the specialist skills required, the project will cost £750,000.
One-third of the money was spent on the special detached scaffolding so it does not damage the building.
But NTS bosses are confident the work will be worth it, as the castle brought in 18,500 visitors in 2019 before Covid.
Workers realise the importance of the north-east as the AB postcode is the location with the largest number of NTS members in the country.
NTS operations manager for Aberdeenshire South James Henderson said: “It is massively popular with the tourists.
“There was an American who came along and when he looked up and saw the castle said ‘look they copied Disney’.”
Traditional skills kept alive
The work on Craigievar Castle has allowed traditional stonemason skills to survive.
Steven Harper, from specialist repair firm Harper and Allan Masonry who has been working on the castle, said his firm continually takes on new apprentices.
“It is important to pass these skills onto the next generation”, he said.
He previously worked as the site manager when Craigievar Castle was given a lime harling in 2008.
The NTS is planning a grand opening of the castle after the renovation is completed in spring 2024
Future limewashing will take place annually, by using a cherry picker. It is hoped another scaffold around the castle will not be required for 20 years.
To find out more about the castle, visit the NTS website.
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