Building record MAB14070 - DURN HOUSE, PORTSOY
Please read our guidance about the use of Aberdeenshire Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
Durn House, built on the site of an earlier house.
Protected Status/Designation
- Listed Building (B) 10590
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 5882 6503 (100m by 158m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ56NE |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Fordyce |
Type and Period (6)
- HOUSE (12th Century to 19th Century - 1100 AD to 1899 AD)
- Mansion (12th Century to 19th Century - 1100 AD to 1899 AD)
- BASEMENT (12th Century to 19th Century - 1100 AD to 1899 AD)
- STEPS (12th Century to 19th Century - 1100 AD to 1899 AD)
- GATE PIER (12th Century to 19th Century - 1100 AD to 1899 AD)
- GATE (12th Century to 19th Century - 1100 AD to 1899 AD)
Full Description
Durn House, built on the site of an earlier house. Old Durn House was demolished circa 1770, and only a dovecot (NJ56NE0033) remains to indicate an earlier dwelling of some pretension, along with a datestone in stairwell by the doorway of the present house. The house was seat of the Dunbars of Durn. It may have occupied the site of a fortalice of 'Dorne' which was recorded in 1592. The present Durn House dates to the later 18th Century. It is a 2-storey over raised basement, 5-bay classical house. Its entrance porch leads to large hall with a central plaster ceiling rose decorated with delicate foliated and floral motifs. No other plasterwork of note survives. In the mid 18th century the gate stones were painted by astronomer and instrument maker James Ferguson (whose memorial stands at Rotheimay, Moray NJ54NE0020), one as a terrestrial globe, the other as a celestial map. The B-listed former gig house and stables lie to the north of the main house, and are also dated to the later 18th Century (NJ56NE0205).
Period Notes
Datestone 1605; Old Durn House demolished circa 1770. Current building 1770, although notes state it is later 18th century. 17th century doocot.
G 81423 PO (1880), G 81423 PO (1880) (Ground Photograph). SAB20480.
ROBERTSON, J, 1843, HISTORY OF SHIRES OF ABERDEEN & BANFF, 644 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1504.
ROBERTSON, J, 1869, ILLUSTRATED TOPOGRAPHY & ANTIQUITIES OF ABERDEEN & BANFF, VOL II, 95,102-3 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1505.
FERGUSON, J, 1913, T BANFF FC 10,3A(1912-3)207-82, 229 (Bibliographic reference). SAB507.
TAYLER, A, 1928, JACOBITES AB & BANFF IN THE'45, 148-52 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1911.
SDD, n.d., BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST, FORDYCE 5 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1827.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Listed Building Number: 10590;
- NMR Card Number: NJ56NE48;
- NRHE Numlink: 173407;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ56NE0022;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB10590 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/173407 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (6)
- --- SAB1504 Bibliographic reference: ROBERTSON, J. 1843. HISTORY OF SHIRES OF ABERDEEN & BANFF. Y. 644.
- --- SAB1505 Bibliographic reference: ROBERTSON, J. 1869. ILLUSTRATED TOPOGRAPHY & ANTIQUITIES OF ABERDEEN & BANFF. Y. Y. VOL II, 95,102-3.
- --- SAB1827 Bibliographic reference: SDD. n.d.. BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST. FORDYCE 5.
- --- SAB1911 Bibliographic reference: TAYLER, A. 1928. JACOBITES AB & BANFF IN THE'45. Y. 148-52.
- --- SAB20480 Ground Photograph: G 81423 PO (1880). Black & White. G 81423 PO (1880).
- --- SAB507 Bibliographic reference: FERGUSON, J. 1913. T BANFF FC 10,3A(1912-3)207-82. 229.
Finds (1)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Nov 23 2021 4:41PM
