Another week, another round of castle stories proving that these ancient fortresses are anything but frozen in time. From Scotland’s windswept shores to Slovenia’s cultural heartlands, here are the updates making waves in the castle world this week.
✨ Opening Spotlight
Saddell Castle’s Grand Reopening in Scotland
After more than a year of careful restoration, Saddell Castle on the Kintyre coast is ready to welcome guests once again. The Landmark Trust has completed an ambitious project of masonry repairs, new roofing, and complete interior updates — yes, even bathrooms and kitchens got a modern touch. The reopening coincides with the Trust’s 60th anniversary and Scotland’s annual Doors Open Days, giving history lovers the chance to explore this rugged 16th-century fortress like never before (Landmark Trust).
🏗️ Restoration & Conservation
Herstmonceux Castle Moves Toward Completion
In East Sussex, Herstmonceux Castle — one of England’s most iconic moated castles — is nearing the finish line of its essential conservation project. The works emphasize sustainability and long-term preservation, ensuring the castle’s red-brick façade and landscaped grounds remain a safe and inspiring space for future generations. Once completed this autumn, visitors can expect a richer educational program and an even more welcoming atmosphere (Herstmonceux Castle).
🌍 Europe’s Castles Revitalized
Ormož Castle’s Sustainable Renaissance in Slovenia
Slovenia’s Ormož Castle is also entering a new chapter. Its full renovation, set to wrap up this September, combines preservation with innovation. Beyond repairing historic walls, the project is reimagining the site as a vibrant cultural hub, powered by sustainable practices and community partnerships. For the people of Ormož, it’s not just about saving a monument — it’s about giving their castle a living, breathing role in modern society (European Commission).
🛠️ Living History & Experiments
Guédelon Castle Keeps Teaching the Middle Ages
In Burgundy, France, the Guédelon project continues to fascinate. For decades, teams of artisans have been building a new medieval-style fortress entirely with 13th-century methods and tools. What started as an experimental archaeology initiative has become a living laboratory, revealing insights into medieval scaffolding, lime mortar, and craftsmanship. Today, Guédelon is as much a school for heritage builders as it is a visitor attraction (Guédelon).
📌 Weekly Wrap-Up
From Saddell’s rebirth on Scotland’s stormy coastline to Ormož’s sustainable rebirth in Slovenia, this week shows castles are not just relics but ever-changing stories. Add Herstmonceux’s steady conservation work and Guédelon’s medieval experiments, and it’s clear: the castle world is thriving, reinventing, and reminding us why these strongholds still matter today.
