BRODIE CASTLE HAS been selected as a ‘priority property’ by the National Trust for Scotland – with a £2.8million investment being planned.
A planning application has already been submitted to Moray Council by the conservation charity, seeking improvements that will radically transform the visitor experience at the historic site near Forres.
It is expected that as a result of the investment many thousands more visitors can be expected at a site where visitor comments frequently highlight the family nature of the attraction – an observation the NTS say will be at the heart of the transformation.
Inspiration has been drawn from the story of the castle as well as the Brodie family history, most notably the connections between the late Ninian Brodie, the 25th Brodie of Brodie, with the acting profession on stage and screen.
A visitor pavilion will be constructed at the entrance to the new garden, which will be located within the existing walled garden, and this will include high quality catering facilities and an indoor play area, as well as space for exhibitions and events that will be available for hire. The Garden will also host Ian Brodie’s remarkable National Daffodil Collection.
Alongside the extensive landscaping and features to create the new garden, there will also be significant changes to the supporting infrastructure to accommodate more visitors, provide more parking and to create a new catering kitchen to prepare food using locally-sourced ingredients.
Should planning permission be granted, work will commence to ensure the new features are open to the public next year.
The National Trust for Scotland’s Chief Executive, Simon Skinner said: “We are creating nothing less than one of Scotland’s most significant heritage attractions in the heart of Moray.
“Brodie castle is packed with historical and architectural importance, and we are building upon its colourful story to create features that will offer a fantastic visitor experience. Families will come away having learned a great deal about Brodie but will also have fun in doing so.
“We expect Brodie Castle and its Garden of Playfulness to be a great boost for the local economy, attracting many more visitors and offering the regional community a wonderful place to enjoy on their doorstep.”