Building record MAB18221 - TOWN HOUSE, KINTORE

Town House, dating from the 18th Century.

Town House, dating from the 18th Century. Stone built, with curving outside stair and clock tower with ogee roof. Paid for by John Keith, the 3rd Earl of Kintore, when he was elected Provost of the town, a site which had previously been the market place. The initial construction (1737-1747) comprised the principal (now front) block, the curving forestair added later in the century and the wing to the rear added towards the end of the century. The building is two-storey constructed of rough granite ashlar, with a five-window frontage with ground floor doorways: historic photos show the main building harled. On the hipped roof of the main block is a square ogee-roofed clock tower. The clock-machinery was made by Hugh Gordon, Aberdeen, and was donated by the 10th and last Earl Marischal in 1774. The bell, which was used for both church and burgh purposes. Above the door under the double stair if the Keith Family Coat of Arms, suggested by locals to have previously been on the original bridge at Boat of Kintore. As well as having a council room, the building also originally held a schoolroom, a store for the agricultural produce of tenants who paid their rent in kind, and the vaulted space under the stairs formed the burgh jail. In the square in front of the town house is a drinking fountain. Parts of the building have also been used in the past as a post office, shop and doctor’s surgery.

Period Notes
Built between 1737-47; late 18th century wing at the rear; 1702 bell.

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 30/08/16 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

Apr 15 2016 , AAS-GR-16-04-013 - 023, AAS-GR-16-04-013 - 023 (Ground Photograph). SAB32331.

Aug 6 1998 , AAS/98/10/CT, AAS/98/10/CT (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB17047.

Aug 12 1984 , BW 5, BW 5 (Ground Photograph). SAB33297.

Jun 17 2008 , DG0227, DG0227 (Ground Photograph). SAB19468.

Record last edited

Aug 1 2025 11:50AM