At Home in Scotland with Katharine Pooley

At Home in Scotland with Katharine Pooley

Renowned British interior designer Katharine Pooley is not one to shy away from a challenge. She is an intrepid explorer, having undertaken many extraordinary adventures, from scaling Mount Kilimanjaro or the highest mountain in Antarctica to canoeing down the Amazon to traveling across the Sahara on horseback, visiting over 150 countries along the way. Professionally, she oversees a team of 47 interior designers and architects, completing impressive residential and commercial projects around the world. So while a daunting task, she clearly wasn’t intimidated by the challenges presented when renovating her family’s 16th century castle. Please tag along for a trip to Scotland to visit Katharine at Forter Castle, her Scottish family retreat.

When shooting with Katharine for At Home in the English Countryside: Designers and Their Dogs (below), Susanna and I learned about her historic castle in Scotland.

Katharine Pooley and her Jack Russell Herbie, photo Stacey Bewkes
Katharine Pooley and her Jack Russell Herbie

Located in a hamlet near the Cairngorms mountain range and one of the most beautiful national parks in the country, the castle was built in 1560 by James Ogilvy, the fifth Lord of Airlie, to protect the entrance to the important Balloch Pass to Glenshee, Braemar and the north, but was subsequently burned down in 1640 by the Duke of Argyll, one of the feuding Campbell clans. Fast forward 350 years later when Katharine’s father, Robert, purchased the estate and began a four years long passionate and painstaking restoration with the guidance of Scottish Heritage, working with local both architect and tradesmen.

At Home in Scotland with Katharine Pooley
Forter Castle

When Robert purchased the castle, all that remained was a ruin with a large oak tree growing in the middle. Once removed, much of the remaining structure collapsed. Working from mere vestiges of the castle and rubble, Katharine’s father used all the remaining stones to recreate the original layout of a traditional L shaped 16th century fortified house. The only major change was to make the laird’s bedroom the full expanse of the castle, echoing the dimension of the great hall below, to allow for more spacious living with a gracious master bath.

Master bedroom Forter Castle by Katharine Pooley
Master bedroom Forter Castle

In 2004, Katharine purchased the castle from her father to keep it as a legacy for her children and extended family. She has since renovated the interiors three times, the first remotely when she was living in Singapore.

Entrance to Forter Castle
Front door to Forter Castle

Overcoming narrow stairways, heat loss and lack of storage, Katharine came up with clever solutions to update the castle for contemporary living. She installed heating under the original flagstones on the main floor as well as two large water tanks where rain water can be captured as a sustainable source and she continually repoints the castle walls to protect from heavy wind and rain.

Great Hall Forter Castle by Katharine Pooley
Great Hall

The interiors were a matter of fusing form and function, bringing the past forward with beauty, practicality and comfort. Most importantly, Katharine strove to retain the authenticity of the castle’s history while incorporating contemporary creature comforts and luxurious furnishings. From fine antiques and appropriate contemporary pieces, to sumptuous heather-hued De le Cuona paisleys, bedroom walls covered with Holland and Sherry wool and cashmere, to locally woven tartan rugs, the rooms are fitted for stylish 21st century living.

Forter Castle bedroom by Katharine Pooley
Sebastian’s bedroom

In addressing storage, Katharine decided built in closets did not feel authentic so she found antique wardrobes including one with a crenellated top reminiscent of castle architecture. Updating the bathrooms was also a priority and the freestanding showers from Drummonds are not only beautiful but feel in keeping with the period.

Forter Castle

“These days we’re all moving around so much and (Forter Castle) is a place we as a family come to gather. It has some incredible memories for me and holds a very special place in my heart.” Thank you Katharine for opening up to us your remarkable Scottish country home!

all photos courtesy of Katharine Pooley

16 thoughts on “At Home in Scotland with Katharine Pooley

  1. Best ever!!! So grand and cozy and personal – a treasure – and so well presented. Many thanks for your wonderful work in the world of interiors.

  2. Spectacular!
    I’ve just been enjoying Outlander and how wonderful it was that your video of this amazing beauty came up.
    She has done a terrific job of warming it up and making it livable for the 21st century.

  3. OMGosh to have taken furniture apart to get it up the stairs and then put it back together!! One would never have known she went to such great lengths. Thank you for such an entertaining and truly unique tour. I love seeing ALL the home visits you do. Congratulations and thank you!
    From an admirer-a proud aunt!

    • Thank you so much and our pleasure!! Happy to have an aunt of my video partner in crime in our viewing audience!!

  4. This IS just what my psyche needed…a “castle getaway!” It is a dream & more…LOVE, franki

  5. NO WORDS!
    WHAT A CHARMING EXQUISITE HOME!
    LOVE THE WASHING MACHINE IN THE CHAPEL!
    WOULD LOVE TO KNOW HOW SHE THOUGHT OF THAT?
    THANK YOU for these “GET AWAYS!” Just what we need right now with the war and all the ugly stuff happening in this world of ours!
    XX

    • Thank you Elizabeth! It is our pleasure – we hope an inspiring respite in our troubled world! Thanks for stopping by xx Stacey

  6. James Ogilvie was the ancestor to the James Ogilvie who came to settle Georgia,US – he laid out Savannah with 21 squares – we can be grateful! He also similarly laid out Brunswick GA with 21 squares also. He brought along John Wesley who was then an Anglican priest who later founded the Methodist church! It was simply great to see this lovely castle.

    Suzanne Hill
    Carlsbad, CA

    • Thank you for the subsequent history – always appreciate learning more! So glad you enjoyed!

  7. James Ogilvie who built the original castle was the ancestor of the James Ogilve who settled the State of Georgia. He laid out the city of Savannah with 21 squares. He arrived in 1734. He also similarly laid out the city of Brunswick GA. He brought along with a group of settlers John Wesley who was then an Anglican priest and later, of course, founded the Methodist Church.
    I had the good fortune to live on St. Simons Island, Ga for 14 and 1/2 years and that is how I come to know the above!

    Seeing this castle is a wonderful treat!

  8. What a stunning castle! Hard to imagine how a person could take a huge stone castle and turn it into something so warm and inviting. She certainly nailed it! I love how each video is a complete surprise and we never know what beautiful part of the world we’re going to end up in next. Thanks!

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