Pheasants on duty at the castle gates

IMPRESSIVE STEEL GATES SUPPORTED BY turret-style gate piers are keeping unwanted visitors at bay at a Scottish castle in Perthshire.

Four hand-forged pheasants and a thistle stand on top of the new main gates at Kincardine Castle, which have been fully automated using FAAC's 770 underground operating system.

FAAC installer, Livewire Services Ltd in County Durham won the prestigious contract, having completed automation of a smaller set of gates elsewhere on the estate some months before.

Managing Director Tim Raw was asked to quote for the supply and installation of the proposed pair of gates and pedestrian gate by the architect working on behalf of the Castle's owner, Robert McNeil, a country sports enthusiast.

However, although Livewire do fabricate gates themselves, when Tim saw the architect's drawings he realised a specialist craftsman was needed to recreate the proposed design in non-welded steel.

He had no hesitation in recommending his local metalwork artist, Brian Russell of Newsham Forge, with whom he had worked before.

Livewire specified FAAC's 770 electromechanical automation system for Kincardine.

"The 770 is an attractive package, and ideal for automating ornate gates like these because the operators are fitted underground so they don't detract from the look of the gates," said Tim.

"Also, being solid steel, the gates are extremely heavy, but the 770 handles them effortlessly."

The FAAC 770 underground range offers concealed automation for swing gates of up to 2.50m long per leaf, and has been designed with a load-bearing box for automating gates up to 500 kg per leaf.

The system features a corrosion-proof coating that is highly resistant to atmospheric agents, combined with total waterproofing and 1P67 protection of the operator.

Maintenance is reduced and made easier by the ability to access the operator without removing the gate, whilst electricity consumption is minimised by the 770's inherent mechanical efficiency. In addition, safety is assured by an electronic anti-crushing device that adjusts the drive torque directly.

FAAC is a world leader in gate and door automation. Its operators and full gate systems are available through a national network of nearly 600 approved installers, all trained to FAAC standards.