Description
Raised by John Christie, nurseryman at Causeyhead, Scotland. Introduced by Drummond of Stirling, Scotland. First recorded in 1831. Fruits have white, very soft, rather coarse-textured, juicy flesh with an acid flavour. It is a noted heavy cropper, and scab resistant, but can be susceptible to mildew in wetter areas.
"We obtained Stirling Castle for Bridget Gillespie to paint from the Priorwood Garden, in the precincts of Melrose Abbey Roxburghshire. It was raised by John Christie c. 1821, in his garden in the settlement either of Causewayhead or Raploch in Stirlingshire, and was introduced by Drummonds of Stirling. By 1883 it was included in the top ten cookers presented at The National Congress, and grown commercially, often as an intercrop between Bramley's Seedling, until the 1930s. Its slight susceptibility to mildew led to its commercial demise, since it proved sensitive to fungicidal sprays of lime sulphur, but it has remained a popular garden apple. It cooks to a sharp white purée, which is especially good in snowy confections such as Apple Foam and Apple Cream.
Other notes: very resistant to scab, slightly susceptible to mildew, attractive blossom."
© Lin Hawthorne - 'The Northern Pomona'.
For help with choosing the correct rootstock for your needs, please click here A Guide to Rootstocks
For help with choosing the correct size and shape, please click here A Guide to Fruit Tree Shapes
