Edzell Castle, a ruined 16th-century castle, a substantial ruinous old stronghold and 1604 fortified residence of the Lindsay family, Scotland, UK
A late medieval tower house incorporated into a 16th-century courtyard mansion. The castle is surrounded by a beautiful walled Renaissance garden built by Sir David Lindsay in 1604, reflecting his scholarly interests - and a fair dose of family pride! Mary, Queen of Scots stayed at Edzell in 1562 during her campaign against the Earl of Huntly, but in 1604 Sir David Lindsay decided to transform his family home to reflect his interest in classical scholarship. He created a walled garden, where the walls themselves were an essential part of the design. When you think of a garden, chances are you think first of lawns and flowers, trees and borders, paths and planters. But Edzell is unlike any historic garden. The stone walls are decorated with beautifully carved, though worn, panels depicting the cardinal virtues, seven deadly sins, the liberal arts, and the planetary deities. Niches were designed into the walls to hold flowers, but not simply decorative flowers; the floral arrangement was designed to depict heraldic devices associated with the Lindsay family. History There was a timber fortress here in the medieval period, known as Stirling Castle (not to be confused with that 'other' Stirling Castle further south!) In 1358 the Lindsay family married into the Stirling family, and Edzell became a Lindsay possession. David Lindsay, the 1st Earl of Crawford, tore down the timber buildings and erected a new stone castle. Over the ensuing centuries, the Lindsay's transformed Edzel into a comfortable fortified residence suitable for one of Scotland's leading families.
Size: 3834px × 2729px
Location: Edzell, Scotland
Photo credit: © MediaWorldImages / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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