An exciting find has been made at Kellie Castle near Pittenweem during investigations into a structural problem.
Removal of late 17th-century timber panelling in the drawing room and dining room at the castle, which is owned by the National Trust for Scotland, has revealed the remnants of a decorative scheme beneath.
Lead surveyor Will Napier said, “The panelling in these rooms, along with the decorative plasterwork, were probably erected by Alexander, third Earl of Kellie, some time in the mid-1670s before his death in 1677.
“To accommodate the new panelling, it seems that an earlier decorative scheme, including a decorative plaster frieze, possibly contemporary with the decorative plasterwork carried out in what is now the library prior to the king’s visit there in 1617, was partially destroyed and covered over.”
The emergency project has been carried out by a multi-disciplinary team of trust staff and external consultants and contractors.
Property manager Roger Brown said, “Caring for a building of such great age is not without its challenges but, thanks to the dedication and skill of colleagues from across the trust, we are working hard to ensure that the castle will be in fine shape to receive visitors from April 1. And we’ll have an extra insight into Kellie’s long history to discuss thanks to this latest find.”