The Story of Craigietocher Tower
Nestled in dense woodland at the end of a secluded 500-metre drive, the architecture and enchanting, remote location may lead you to believe Craigietocher Tower is an ancient historical property. However, it is actually a modern build, painstakingly constructed by a passionate castle enthusiast over 20 years.
Phill and Meryl began the construction of their Aberdeenshire castle in 1992, and you can now stay at the property as their personal guests, for a completely unique bed and breakfast experience.
Early inspirations…
Phill Plevey has a deep knowledge and passion for Scottish castles. In fact, he has visited more than 600 castles over his lifetime!
His love for these historic buildings began in his childhood in Wales, where he often cycled to Conwy Castle. During eleven years based in Aberdeen, serving as a diver in the Royal Navy, he became captivated by Scottish architecture. He started collecting books and engravings on castles, a passion that grew over the years and, in 1992, whilst working in the Middle East for an American oil company, he decided he wanted to build or restore a small tower or castle near this historic, coastal city.
The search for a suitable castle
Phill quickly found plenty of options, but most came with steep price tags. He explained:
“Although there were lots [of castles] within a 50 to 75 mile radius of Aberdeen, I found I could not purchase one for a reasonable price (£30k to £45k) - prices seemed to go up proportionally with how much interest I showed.”
Furthermore, Historic Scotland (responsible for the care and management of the country’s historic monuments, buildings and sites) often deemed the properties historically unimportant, meaning no grants were available. Phill recalls:
“If I did proceed with a purchase, I’d be required to pay for a detailed site survey before any restoration work could begin…and this would have to be carried out by a professional body, at my expense.”
Starting from scratch
Three years into his renovation property search, after yet another overnight price increase on a promising castle, Phill had an idea...He would build his own castle! Looking back, he said:
“After all, by then I believed I surely knew more about Scottish castles than most people.”
So, in 1995, Phill set about planning with the proposed creation of his own authentic reproduction of a 16th-century Scottish fortified tower house. With the support and encouragement from Meryl, he was raring to go!
Turning ideas into reality
For affordability, Phill opted for harling over the concrete blockwork, instead of stone and, after sketching out his vision, he reached out to his friend, architect John Wetten Brown, to finalise the design for planning approval.
The local Planning Committee approved the project, praising the choice of someone to build a true Scottish design in Scotland.
Encouraged by the success, Phill purchased a plot near Turriff that had never been built on before, at a cost of just £22,000, where two small burns ran through the land to create a long triangular site. Known locally as the Den of Gask, the site is associated with the old Castle of Gask, which has long since disappeared.
Obtaining building authority
This was not as easy as getting planning permission - trying to build a Tower House in the true 16th-century style to 20th-century building regulations proved a challenge in itself. Issues they faced included gun loops (historically used for firing weapons through) not qualifying as proper windows, one spiral staircase alone not sufficient to meet Fire Safety Regulations and hugely expensive special ‘raft form’ foundations being required for a building over three storeys.
Thankfully, with Phill’s optimism, determination and the invaluable help of the local planning officer, all these problems and more were overcome to get the project beyond the planning stage.
An productive start
Building work began in 1997, with Phill learning new skills like block work, slate, and rubble construction. Over three years, much was achieved with this bold and ambitious building project. Initially, the tower foundations were completed, alongside clearing the site and installing utilities.
Phil also drained and deepened the original pool, built the bridge and the weir and laid a field drainage system to dry out as much of the field as possible. He ran in mains water and electricity, and cut down about 50 trees. Phill admitted at the time:
“This was not very 'green' but necessary, but I will be re-planting more soon.”
Spanners in the works
Unfortunately, after his original planning permission expired in August 2001, Phill had to reapply, navigating costly 21st-century building regulations and spending over £5000. During the years of the ‘waiting period’ that ensued, he kept busy with general site maintenance and sourcing more red sandstone from abandoned farm buildings to add features like a well and an ice house; all the while saving money towards the eventual build.
Keep on ‘keeping on’
In 2007, Phill coordinated major landscaping work across the site, extending the pool, re-routing the burn and (as promised) planting trees!
By February 2008, he had also partnered with local firms and contractors to start construction, to achieve authentic aspects to the tower’s interior, from designing all the flues for the fireplaces to using Caithness flagstones for the kitchen, to commissioning a replica of a specific - and extremely large - fireplace that Phill had his heart set on which would feature in the Great Hall.
Despite setbacks with foundations and stonework, progress resumed by April 2008, marking the long-awaited beginning of the Tower Project.
Determined to succeed
Work included installing a sewage system, underground oil tank and construction of the tower itself, but heavy weather through a record-breaking wet summer and freezing winter delayed progress by ten months. Nevertheless, every cloud has a silver lining and the ever-diligent Phill used this valuable time to accumulate more money for the project.
By the end of November 2010 they had completed the shell of the tower up to and including the fourth floor level. More heavy snow came, however, incurring further delays in the construction to mid-March 2011. By late 2011, the project had cost Phill just over £400,000 with an estimated completion cost of £650,000; both far exceeding his original £250,000 budget.
Phill recalls that when the arctic conditions once again covered Scotland, Meryl made the following remark to him while they sat in their nice warm home in the South of England:
“Who in their right mind would want to build a Scottish Fortified Tower House in Scotland, when the South of France sounds nice?”
Patience is a virtue
By October 2012, the roof of the tower was complete, the building watertight and the scaffolding finally came down. So, then it was onto the interiors. Phill finalised the tower in that initial first year or so until he retired from the offshore industry. He joked:
“I also convinced Meryl that Scotland is a nice place to live and that cold is just a state of mind that can be overcome by wearing more clothes..!”
And the rest, they say, is history… Partway through the build, when some could have quite easily called it a day, Phill commented:
“Some years ago I read an article which ended with the following quotation 'Happy are those who dream dreams and are ready to pay the price to make them come true'.”
Phill certainly paid in hard cash, time and labour throughout his epic build journey. But the experience has had so many rewards, not least the fact that since 2018 he has been able to reside in this wonderful 16th-century tower replica with his family and ultimately live his very own dream.
What does Craigietocher offer today?
A retreat off the beaten track to be cocooned within enchanting woodland, away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, yet only 35 miles from Aberdeen. Gracious hosts, Phill and Meryl, are delighted to show guests around this remarkable property and share captivating stories behind each room.
The tower is let on a bed-and-breakfast basis. Two rooms are available to guests, one four-poster room with its own dedicated bathroom and an en-suite room which can be either a super-king or feature two single beds. Enjoy treetop views over wild waters and, beyond, a rustic farmland landscape. Come the morning, indulge in a delicious continental breakfast served in the characterful ground-floor dining room.
Guests will have exclusive access to the Laird's Room and the wall walk/open rounds, plus Phill and Meryl invite guests to join them in the spacious and welcoming Great Hall whenever they wish during their stay.
Craigietocher Tower is the perfect base from which to appreciate the very best of Scotland on your doorstep. Nestled on the outskirts of Turriff, explore a vast collection of castles, a wide range of whisky distilleries and the breath-taking beaches of Cruden Bay.
Plans for the future?
Since officially calling Craigietocher Tower their family home, the dedicated couple have built a fortified defensive wall around half of the area, known as a Barmkin, adding further authenticity to the incredible structure. Phill reveals:
“We are also looking to have the land to the west of the tower professionally landscaped next year and included in this will be the building of a paddock and a small shelter to house two miniature Shetland ponies; this will be an attraction for guests to be able to 'Walk With Shetlands'.”
The team at Celtic Castles wishes both Phill and Meryl continued success and joy from their ongoing venture and we look forward to the next instalment.
Discover more about the unique experience of staying at Craigietocher Tower.