Living Legacies of the Bel Master Masons
Bells have excelled in virtually every vocation known to mankind. Here we examine and commemorate the George Bel family of Aberdeen, Scotland, master masons, and their amazing legacy of six superb castles known as the Castles of Mar.
Several of these beautiful castles, or "chateaus" were built during the zenith of Caledonian architecture. When you look at the photos, notice the French details blended with the Scottish vernacular and hints of Romanesque and Gothic styles. The masons use of these elements produced some of the most striking Scottish buildings in existence today. Later, the style was imitated in Victorian houses.
Clan Bell is exceedingly lucky that all of the Castles of Mar still stand. We can treasure, tour, study and even holiday in some of them, thanks to the abundant respect and maintenance given them via NTS, National Trust for Scotland (and the Wharton family who own and reside at Midmar). Many clans can only lay claim to severely decayed ancestoral strongholds, or the mere rubble of ancient buildings lost to the mists of time. Consider that this small island nation, separate from Europe, and surviving centuries of invasions and neverending attempts at domination flowered so abundantly in works such as these only makes the Castles of Mar an even greater world treasure.
Please note that my research is ongoing, but updates are ad hoc, so check back often. For any errors contained herein, I offer apologies, however, every effort is made to document in fact, using the most reliable data available.
Patriarch Geogeo (George) Bel built Midmar Castle before his death in 1575. Subsequently, his sons Ian (John) and David built five additional castles during the 14th and 15th centuries. These include Craigievar, Crathes, Drum, Fraser, and Fyvie. One way we know this as fact, is because masons apply special marks, or "sign manuels" to their works, just as artists apply their signature or mark to their paintings or other craft. The Bel masons marked their works with a heart. For example, this panel
is carved into Midmar Castle. It means "John Bell, the mason made me.". So, when you're on holiday in Scotland , keep an eye out for mason's marks, especially those depicting a heart! If you see one, please try to take a rubbing using colored chalk on paper, and note the structure's name and location. Ask management or owners if they have one in archive. Then contact me! Lynda Bashoor via email:
A lovely and informative, though not inexpensive, new book is available: "The Scottish Chateau, " by Professor and Author Charles McKean.
ISBN: 0-7509-2323-7. Sutton Publishing. Beautiful photographs featuring many of the Castles of Mar and interesting reading for everyone.
Castles of Mar 
