Forter Castle is a treasured 16th Century family home set in the heart of the Highlands. Scotland’s natural, weathered surroundings come to life in the wintry months. The view of the surrounding hills with a dusting of snow atop the heather and orange bracken is captivating, and for years, my family and I have been drawn to spend many a happy Christmas within the historic castle and its grounds to make for an idyllic, cosy stay.
The castle epitomises Christmas for our family and decorating if for the festive period brings the greatest joy.
Forter is always beautiful, but it truly comes alive during the festive season, especially upon entering the Great Hall, softly lit by the roaring fire, candlelight and the glistening fairy lights on the Christmas tree. The military ceremonial swords (made by my Father’s business, Pooley Sword) glimmer above the fireplace and the centuries-old leather bound books appear to glow in the subdued light.
Due to the substantial scale of the room, I have always had to source an enormous Christmas tree for maximum impact and this year, the tree is a real, locally-sourced potted tree, which will be replanted in the New Year. I love how the rich colours of the decorations are enhanced by the antique bookcase I found years ago from Georgian Antiques in Leith. The tree is peppered with large, dark green metallic magnolias from Fortnum & Mason’s Piccadilly store, amongst cherished decorations I collected on my travels, with a majority from my favourite Christmas market in Austria.
At Christmas, the dining table is cloaked in a tartan tablecloth, with a contrasting red Ralph Lauren tartan porcelain dinner service, antique silverware and my coveted antique crystalware and silver Scottish thistle candelabras. It’s always in the details, and I planned to make the Christmas table look extra special with gorgeous namecards, menus and the labels for ‘Pooley’s Panettone’ – expertly created by Sophia Montagu-Pollock. The napkins are neatly wrapped with a burgundy velvet ribbon from VV Rouleaux and the green crackers from Fortnum & Mason add a touch of magic.
The ceiling is hand-painted by Edinburgh-trained mural and trompe-l’oeil specialist, Jennifer Merredew. The artwork bears the legend of the castle imbued on the beams, which are painted in colourways linking to those used in the 16th Century. Soft Highland-themed shades of heather and gorse for the interior and the upholstered dining chairs match the tablecloth in ‘Gunn’ tartan.
Miniature marzipan capped Christmas puddings and cakes along with sugared almonds from Fortnum & Mason adorn the table, finish the setting, which I am sure won’t last beyond Boxing Day.
‘Robert’s bedroom’ is one of the castle’s seven bedrooms and is especially wonderful at Christmas as it can to reached through it’s very own designated private staircase direct from the Great Hall. The cranberry-hued woollen throw paired with the sage and claret rug woven by hand in the Highlands by Anta, make it one of the cosiest rooms in the castle.
Trays laden with festive nibbles and mulled wine are usually presented after dinner or after a long walk through the surrounding Cairngorms National Park. My family love to spend our evenings playing charades, plenty of storytelling and dancing by the fire before retiring to bed. I love to stay in the ‘Laird’s Bedroom’, which is the only bedroom to extend to the width of the castle, matching the size of the Great Hall. Within the room, there are pocketed places to relax – a pair of large leather chairs to curl up and read by the fire with my Jack Russell, Herbie and there is a little study nestled within the turret with views overlooking the picturesque grounds I will never tire of.
My Father first fell in love with castle over 40 years ago, whilst on an adventurous journey through Glenisla on his way to ski in Glenshee, when he stopped in his tracks and set eyes on the site of two mature trees growing amongst stones and rubble of the castle ruins. Learning of the former castle’s history through the Ogilvy (Airlie) family, he became entranced by the idea of breathing life back into it and what an incredible vision he had. Every Christmas, we raise a toast in his honour for creating such a wonderful family home for us to enjoy.
Wishing you and your family a very Happy Christmas. May your celebrations be peaceful and full of joy.
Katharine
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