Building record MAB21461 - BALBITHAN HOUSE
Please read our guidance about the use of Aberdeenshire Historic Environment Record data.
Summary
Mansion house built in the 17th century, maybe dating from the 16th century, circa 1560, with further phases of building through the 17th century and during 1760 to 1860.
Protected Status/Designation
- Listed Building (A) 9140
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 8122 1888 (194m by 158m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ81NW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | Keithhall and Kinkell |
Type and Period (7)
- TOWER (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- TOWER (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- Mansion (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- GARDEROBE (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- TURRET (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- KITCHEN (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- SUNDIAL (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
Full Description
Mansion house built in the 17th century, maybe dating from the 16th century, circa 1560, with further phases of building through the 17th century and during 1760 to 1860. Extensive three-storey, harled, L-plan house with corbelled stair-tower in angle and turrets at the corners. Owned by the Chalmers family until 1690, the south wing and stair tower are a good deal older than the rest. Important garden re-created by Mrs Mary McMurtie. The gardens retain a 19th century structure which was more fully developed in the 1960s, and which are famed for the plant collection built up during the 20th century by botanical artist Mary McMurtrie. A watching brief was carried out by Cameron Archaeology in April 2022 during groundworks for cabling (see NJ81NW0352).
Period Notes
The present house potentially dates from the 16th century, circa 1560, with a second phase circa 1600, with further phases of building in the 17th century and during 1760 to 1860. Charter dated 1635; owned by Chalmers family until 1690; sundial dated 1679; restoration 1957. Listed 24/11/1972.
Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 28/10/2014 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.
LEITH-HAY, A, 1849, CASTELLATED ARCHITECTURE OF ABERDEENSHIRE, pp 111-2 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1052.
MACGIBBON, D, 1892, THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND, 1-5, VOL 2, 182-3 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1140.
CRUDEN, SH, 1960, THE SCOTTISH CASTLE , 154, 159 (Bibliographic reference). SAB247.
TRANTER, N, 1977, FORTIFIED HOUSE IN SCOT VOL 4, 19-21 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1950.
GRAHAM, C, 1981, GRAMPIAN: THE CASTLE COUNTRY (2ND ED), 20 (Bibliographic reference). SAB598.
SCOTTISH MONUMENTS SURVEY, 1990, JAMES GILES - ABERDEENSHIRE CASTLES, p.3-4 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1738.
CAMERON ARCHAEOLOGY, 2021, BALBITHAN HOUSE, KINTORE, ABERDEENSHIRE: WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATOIN, WSI (Bibliographic reference). SAB8831.
Jan 22 2015 , AAS-GR-15-01-013 to 057, AAS-GR-15-01-013 to 057 (Ground Photograph). SAB35377.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Listed Building Number: 9140;
- NMR Card Number: NJ81NW7;
- NRHE Numlink: 19508;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ81NW0006;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB9140 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/19508 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (9)
- --- SAB1052 Bibliographic reference: LEITH-HAY, A. 1849. CASTELLATED ARCHITECTURE OF ABERDEENSHIRE. pp 111-2.
- --- SAB1140 Bibliographic reference: MACGIBBON, D. 1892. THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND, 1-5. Y. VOL 2, 182-3.
- --- SAB1416 Bibliographic reference: Author unknown. . PRESS & JOURNAL. 28/10/2014.
- --- SAB1738 Bibliographic reference: SCOTTISH MONUMENTS SURVEY. 1990. JAMES GILES - ABERDEENSHIRE CASTLES. p.3-4.
- --- SAB1950 Bibliographic reference: TRANTER, N. 1977. FORTIFIED HOUSE IN SCOT VOL 4. 19-21.
- --- SAB247 Bibliographic reference: CRUDEN, SH. 1960. THE SCOTTISH CASTLE . 154, 159.
- --- SAB35377 Ground Photograph: Jan 22 2015 . AAS-GR-15-01-013 to 057. Digital. AAS-GR-15-01-013 to 057.
- --- SAB598 Bibliographic reference: GRAHAM, C. 1981. GRAMPIAN: THE CASTLE COUNTRY (2ND ED). 20.
- --- SAB8831 Bibliographic reference: CAMERON ARCHAEOLOGY. 2021. BALBITHAN HOUSE, KINTORE, ABERDEENSHIRE: WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATOIN. WSI.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (1)
Record last edited
Nov 18 2024 3:22PM
