3-074-550 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Fire at Cortachy Castle, Scotland, the seat of the Earl of Airlie, 1883. Engraving from a sketch by Mr. G. F. King. 'Cortachy Castle, eight miles north of the town of Forfar, was partly destroyed by an accidental fire...few persons except the servants were in the house, when, between three and four o'clock, it was discovered that fire had broken out in one of the housemaids' rooms...a messenger had to be dispatched for assistance from Kirriemuir and Forfar. In a short time the fire appeared through the roof, and whilst the furniture and clothing were being carried off and thrown out of the windows, the roof began to fall in, and the fire reached the turret at the other end of the castle. Only one fire-engine, and that from Forfar, was available, for which, however, an abundant supply of water was obtained from the river Esk, which flows within a few yards of the castle. The firemen devoted their energies to endeavouring to save the old castle, which is connected with the modern building at its south-east corner. The ancient baronial edifice was thereby preserved. The new part, which was erected about ten years ago, is destroyed, with much of its contents, which were insured, but some valuable furniture is lost'. From "Illustrated London News", 1883.