Resorts and Retreats Awards 2025 | 5 In the depths of the 14th century, Arbroath Abbey’s monks built a sturdy sandstone tower house on Ethie’s current site. This is where they lived and thrived for many years until the de Maxwell family owned the dwelling. The years that passed saw the property’s possession move from the monks through to the de Maxwell family and back again. After this change of hands, in 1524, Scotland’s only and last Cardinal, David Beaton born in Balfour in Fife in 1494, and his family shared the site with the Pope’s permission to do so. Cardinal Beaton had studied at the University of Glasgow and St. Andrews before becoming a monk at Arbroath Abbey – in addition to a member of Parliament In the 1530s the beginning of major renovations were carried out and the castle went under its first transformational period. The extensions added to the courtyard, in preparation for King James V’s visit, were carried out by Cardinal Beaton to ensure the king’s stay was immaculate in quality. In 1539, Cardinal Beaton became Archbishop of St Andrews. Unfortunately, in 1546, Cardinal Beaton was murdered by Protestants in St Andrews during the Reformation. Now, the tale as old as time – in relation to the castle’s own timeline – it is said that during the Reformation the abbots hid the silver treasure from Arbroath Abbey within the castle walls. When Ethie was bought by the Carnegie family, who later became the Earls of Northesk, in 1665, it was given a new lease of life. As the 7th Earl of Northesk, also Vice Admiral under the command of Admiral Lord Nelson during the battle of Trafalgar in 1805, the castle can still be found with the coat of armes featuring Trafalgar in its design. This proudly hangs in the former window in Ethie Castle to remind all team members and guests of the deeply rooted history of the site. 1927 saw the castle and its ground purchased by artist and antiques collector, William Cunningham Hector of Glasgow, however when he and his family vacated the property they removed all of the decadent furniture the castle had held in its walls. This magnificent castle is said to have provided a whimsical yet solid wave of inspiration for Sir Walter Scott’s novel the Antiquary due to the Ethie Castle is home to a rich history steeped in centuries of memories. The records of the castle even go back to the early 13th century. Since the nearby shallow Lunan Bay offered a perfect opportunity for landing, the Vikings are said to have built a house on the site where Ethie was built. Completely transformed by Roland Zettel from November 2013 to the present day, the castle has become a truly opulent location for any event, sporting experience, and stay. We spoke with Roland Zettel to learn more following the castle’s prestigious award in our Resorts and Retreats Awards this year.
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