Fraser’s Fortune Traditional Geocache
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(regular)
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This cache is in the grounds of Castle Fraser in Aberdeenshire, near the village of Kemnay. It is easily reached by foot, and is a good family day out. We manage this route with a 3-wheel off road pram.
Park your car at N 57 12.339 W 002 27.607 (Pay and Display). From the car park, look to the tree-lined road, you came in on. There is the start of a walk, marked by red arrows, sponsored by Chevron. Follow this, then your GPS. Allow about an hour for this cache, and enjoy the pleasant walks and nature en-route. The cache is in a tupperware style box, and contains all the usual goodies, plus a ‘First To Find’ bonus. Watch out for intermittent GPS reception en-route due to tree cover. You will have no problems with reception in the cache vicinity.
If you successfully find this cache, Castle Fraser is well worth a visit. On your return to the car park, you will have noticed the kids playground and teepee. This will enable the kids (or adults), to burn off any energy they have left.
If you’re feeling peckish, I can recommend the Castle Fraser tearoom, which has excellent sticky buns, especially the caramel slice. This is accessed via the main courtyard, at the back left hand corner.
For info, the castle grounds are open all year. The castle itself is open April – September, October, weekends only.
Here’s the history bit. The Frasers were one of many Anglo-Norman families to settle in Scotland in the 11th and 12th century. In the 15th century, some of the Frasers resettled to Aberdeenshire on land upon which Castle Fraser now stands. The castle is one of the grandest examples of Scottish baronial architecture and has been continuously occupied for more than 500 years. Externally, little has changed at the castle since the completion of two long low buildings by the First Lord Fraser, in 1635. The core building dates from about 1454, when the Frasers were confirmed in the newly formed barony of Stoneywood and Muchalls in Mar. From 1560 to 1570, Michael Fraser and his son Andrew created a modified Z plan building. To build the upper works of his castle Andrew employed J. Bell, a local family of master Masons, whose work can be recognized at Midmar Castle, Crathes and Craigievar. The elements of rough granite, a profusion of ornament, stone cannon and angle turrets with lozenge and dormer windows carved and peaked above the wallheads, and a high pitched roof with gables crow-stepping gracefully across the tiles all come together as the gem called Castle Fraser.
We would like to thank the Scottish National Trust, for giving us permission for placing this cache.
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Gvr n lryybj evooba