Near Aberfeldy, in Perthshire, Castle Menzies is the seat of Clan Menzies. Its Z-plan tower house, built in the sixteenth century in blue ashlar, illustrates exactly the Scottish Renaissance transition between the rugged medieval fortress and the less defensive 'castle' of pleasure.
The tower of the Clan Menzies
Built at the height of the clan's power in the sixteenth century (the rebuilding is traditionally dated 1571-1577, to be confirmed), the house adopts the Z-plan — a central block and two diagonal corner towers — which had become the reference form of the Scottish nobility of the time. Its careful blue ashlar, its wider windows and its interior arrangement announce the comfortable residence, while keeping the imposing silhouette of a stronghold. To see: the Z-plan architecture and its blue stone, the old St Cuthbert's church at Weem nearby, the Chieftains Stone.
Did you know?
The Z-plan, which gives Castle Menzies its characteristic silhouette, was not an aesthetic whim: the two diagonal towers allowed the four faces of the building to be swept by fire. Even in the hour of Renaissance comfort, Scottish architecture kept, in its very form, the memory of danger.
Notes
Castle Menzies lies near Aberfeldy, Perthshire; a restored castle open to the public. The rebuilding dates (1571-1577) to be reverified. Hours to check.
Quiz
- Which plan does Castle Menzies have?
- The Z-plan
- The circular plan
- The basilican plan
- Which clan was seated here?
- The Clan Menzies
- The Clan Gordon
- The Clan Campbell
- What does the architecture of Castle Menzies show?
- The passage from fortress to pleasure castle
- The end of Scottish architecture
- A Roman influence