Castle Fraser Castle Fraser is the most elaborate Z - plan castle in Scotland and one of the grandest ' Castles of Mar ' . It is located near Kemnay in the Aberdeenshire region of Scotland . The castle stands in over of landscaped grounds , woodland and farmland which includes a walled kitchen garden of the 19th century . There is archaeological evidence of an older square tower dating from around 1400 or 1500 within the current construction . Construction . Originally known as " Muchall - in - Mar " , construction of the elaborate , five - storey Z - plan castle was begun in 1575 by the 6th Laird of Fraser , Michael Fraser , on the basis of an earlier tower , and was completed in 1636 . A panel on the northern side of the castle is signed " " I Bel " " , believed to be the mark of the master mason John Bell of Midmar , the castle is a joint creation over several decades with another master mason of this period , Thomas Leiper . Castle Fraser is contemporary with other nearby castles : Craigievar Castle , Crathes Castle and Midmar Castle which are also believed to have been designed by the Bell family of master masons . The castle was modernised in a classical style in the late 18th century , with a new entrance inserted in the south side and sash windows throughout . This work was supervised by Elyza Fraser , the lady laird . Elyza was also responsible for the landscaping of the grounds , sweeping away the remains of the original formal gardens and orchards , and for the construction of the impressive octagonal stable block . The interiors of the building were entirely reconstructed again between 1820 and 1850 , by Charles Fraser , using the architects John Smith and William Burn . The Library is a fine example of John Smith ' s regency style with Tudor detailing . Many of William Burn ' s more extravagant gothic designs for the most important rooms were not carried out , although a gothic style pipe organ was installed ( now removed to Kemnay Church ) . External works during this period included the construction of the twin gatehouses ( still extant ) , and a grand domed stair and access corridors with loggias in the courtyard ( removed ) . The castle was given a partial ' restoration ' by the new owners around 1950 . The architect and antiquary Dr William Kelly supervised the removal of much 19th - century work to reveal the earlier fabric . Castle Fraser retains the atmosphere of a family home and still contains the original contents , including Fraser family portraits , furniture and collections . The evocative interiors represent all periods of the castle ' s history , from the Medieval stone vaulted Great Hall to the Regency Dining Room . Ownership . Castle Fraser was built as the home of the Frasers of Muchalls , later Frasers of Castle Fraser . The castle was passed down through the Lords Fraser , the Frasers of Inverallochy and then the Mackenzie family who took the name Mackenzie Fraser . In 1897 the last male Fraser of the direct line , Frederick Mackenzie Fraser , died childless . In 1921 his widow , Theodora , sold the castle due to the lack of a suitable heir and mounting financial difficulties . The buyer was Weetman Pearson , First Viscount Cowdray . The Pearson family restored the castle as a shooting lodge and gifted it to the National Trust for Scotland in 1976 . Popular culture . Legend has it that a young princess was once staying at the castle when she was brutally murdered while asleep in the ' Green Room ' . Her body was dragged down the stone stairs , leaving a trail of blood stains . As hard as they tried , the occupants of the castle could not scrub out the stains , and so were forced to cover the steps in wood panelling , which remains today . It is said she still stalks the halls of the castle during the night . It is more likely , however , that the stone stairs were covered to make them easier to climb as they were used as the servants stairs in the 19th century . Castle Fraser has recently been used as a backdrop for some of the scenes shot in the BAFTA , Golden Globe and Academy Award winning film " The Queen " , starring Dame Helen Mirren . Today , the castle is owned by the National Trust for Scotland . The castle is open to visitors from Easter to October . The grounds and walled gardens are open year round . It can be hired for weddings , dinners , conferences and corporate events and has a holiday apartment in the Stables .