An englishman's home is his castle - quite literally in the case of Robert Pooley. Of course, it helps when your daughter is award-winning interior designer Katharine Pooley.
Built in 1560 by James Ogilvy, the fifth Lord of Airlie, Forter Castle in Perthshire, Scotland, was the fortified home of the Ogilvys until 1640, when it was destroyed by the Campbells of Argyll as a result of feuding between the clans.
The castle lay in ruins for more than 300 years before Robert Pooley and his daughter resurrected the pile of rubble. "My father had driven past the crumbling castle for 30 years, always dreaming of restoring a small piece of Scottish history," said Katharine Pooley.
Since 1988, the father-daughter duo has worked closely with Scottish Heritage on the restoration of the castle.
After two years of renovations, Katharine Pooley took over the interior design and carefully restored each of the rooms. To reflect Scotland's heritage, she went for a baronial-styled appearance, incorporating antiquated touches to reflect a quintessentially Scottish feel with 21st-century amenities for comfort.
At the heart of the 460-year-old castle is the great hall, which spans the entire width of the castle and is furnished with traditional furniture.
Crossed Pooley Swords, a traditionally forged weapon for the British and Commonwealth armed forces, are mounted above the stone fireplace that dominates one wall. Opposite the inlet log fireplace are mahogany shelves displaying antique books.
Like banqueting halls of old, the room is also furnished to host parties. The dining table, which seats 16, is lit with wrought-iron chandeliers and antler candelabra and completed with crystal goblets.
Forter Castle's narrow spiral staircase leads to five bedrooms - all named after Katharine Pooley's siblings - and the Laird's room with dramatic views of the Highlands.
As you can guess from its name, the Laird's room is the main bedroom. Dominating the room is a king-sized four-poster Ralph Lauren bed canopied with cranberry silk, while a large sofa upholstered in de Le Cuona British wool is an invitation for cozy chitchats.
A historic Scottish ambience permeates throughout the castle, with Pooley tailoring each bedroom using different design components to reflect the unique lifestyle and personality of each family member.
Holland & Sherry Savile Row tweed lines the walls of Sebastian's and Julian's rooms, which are filled with antique wood and leather furniture.
Katharine's and Samantha's rooms are prettily feminine. Katharine's is elegant with a starburst canopy over a carved wooden four-poster bed, while Samantha's is cozily furnished with deep-buttoned stools upholstered in houndstooth wool, a dressing table and an armchair by the fireplace.
Robert's room is the perfect hideaway, complete with built-in bookcases, plenty of reading materials and a deep-buttoned sofa.The basement hides a gem: a chapel. Able to accommodate up to 24 adults, the charming space makes the castle an ideal venue for intimate highland weddings.
If this has whet your appetite for more, you would be pleased to know that Forter Castle is available to rent for wedding occasions and for an exclusive self-catered stay for a party of 12 to 16 people.
Something to consider when the Covid-19 pandemic is over, perhaps?
Website: fortercastle.com
