Wolfson Foundation funding will help the National Trust for Scotland turn the B-listed Old Home Farm at Fyvie Castle, Garden & Estate into a community-focused visitor and learning hub.

Old Home Farm at Fyvie Castle, Garden & Estate in Aberdeenshire was once central to the running of the 800-year-old estate, rooted in a tradition of sustainable agriculture. Today, however, the historic farm buildings are in a deteriorating state.

Recognised for their regional historical and architectural value, the structures are B-listed and have been on the Buildings at Risk Register since 1980. In 2024, the National Trust for Scotland acquired the complex outright, underscoring its pledge to rescue Old Home Farm and support the broader conservation of Fyvie.

The work forms a key element of Fyvie Reimagined, the Trust's multi-phase plan to breathe new life into the estate and re-establish Old Home Farm as a welcoming hub for the local community and visitors alike.

The initiative has received a £100,000 boost from the Wolfson Foundation to advance redevelopment plans. The farmstead will be repurposed as a visitor and learning centre, with spaces for exhibitions, skills development and educational outreach.

Planned works include creating dedicated exhibition and learning areas, reintroducing craft and heritage workshops, restoring the historic doocot and the west range, and improving amenities for visitors.

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The project aims to reconnect people with Fyvie's agricultural story while securing the site's future as a vibrant, sustainable cultural destination.

Among Scotland's largest and most striking castles, Fyvie is internationally significant for its architecture and outstanding art collection. Yet the estate faces serious conservation challenges that threaten its long-term health.

To address these, the Trust has embarked on a decade-long, multi-million-pound conservation programme designed to safeguard the site, share its rich stories and create a sustainable future for this nationally important place.

Annie Robertson, the Trust's Project Director for Fyvie Reimagined, said: "The redevelopment of the Old Home Farm buildings will be pivotal in the overall reimagining of the Fyvie estate, and so we're incredibly grateful to the Wolfson Foundation for this valuable contribution.

"This major step lays strong foundations for the rest of the project, but we need your help to achieve the ambitions of this massive undertaking. It is thanks to the continued generosity of our members and supporters that we're able to protect and speak up for heritage and widen access to Scotland's treasures for future generations."

At the heart of Fyvie Reimagined is the preservation of the castle's distinctive stonework and elaborate interiors. The storm-damaged Racquets Court has recently reopened, and plans are progressing to enhance and extend access to the grounds, including new areas for play, wildlife watching, relaxation and engagement with nature.

Paul Ramsbottom, Chief Executive of the Wolfson Foundation, said: "We are delighted to support the restoration of Old Home Farm at Fyvie Castle. This project safeguards an important part of Scotland's heritage and creates new opportunities for learning about the remarkable history of the castle and its environs. Enhancing the visitor experience and bringing more buildings into active use will help secure the long-term prosperity of a nationally significant site."

The Wolfson Foundation is an independent grant-making charity focused on research and education, supporting high-quality projects in science, health, heritage, the humanities and the arts. Since 1955, it has awarded over £1 billion (£2 billion in real terms) to around 14,000 projects across the UK, following rigorous expert review.