Building record MAB28438 - BRUCKLAY CASTLE
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Summary
Remains of castle.
Protected Status/Designation
- Listed Building (C) 49988
Map
Location
| Grid reference | Centred NJ 9110 5015 (71m by 70m) Centred at - Polygon: Unknown Extent |
|---|---|
| Map sheet | NJ95SW |
| Authority | Aberdeenshire |
| Civil Parish | New Deer |
Type and Period (6)
- CASTLE (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- TOWER (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- ARCH (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- CELLAR (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- HOUSE (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
- TURRET (16th Century to Modern - 1500 AD to 2050 AD)
Full Description
Remains of castle. Date of earliest castle is unknown, but it was reported to be very plain, and similar to many other late 17th Century tower-houses. A lofty central round tower, containing a staircase, was its principal feature. Considerable additions and alterations in the 18th and 19th Centuries maintained the original style of the building, but elaborate reconstruction in mid 19th Century has given it the appearance of an old Scottish castellated mansion. After being requisitioned during the Second World War, it was unroofed in 1953. The castle is now a roofless shell. Little can be recognised of the original structure except for a rolled moulded arch, and the ruins of barrel vaulted cellars bounded on the north and east by very thick walls, the latter probably being those of the original tower-house. The earliest part of the castle was erected by James Crawford of Brucklay in 1600–1625. The castle was transferred from Clan Irvine to Arthur Dingwall in 1742, and was home to Dingwall-Fordyce family from the 1700s. Home to W. D. Fordyce M. P. between 1836-1875. Fordyce was a Liberal M. P. between 1866 and 1875. He pioneered benefits for his tenants, provided transportation services (including the building a railway station at Maud) and advocated for the rural economy. He is commemorated by the Culsh Monument (NJ84NE0002) and was buried on Brucklay Castle estate, where an obelisk marks his grave (NJ94NW0078). In 1952 the Castle was sold to the housebreaker Charles Brand of Dundee Ltd. Its contents and some architectural features were sold off shortly afterwards, and the roof removed.
Period Notes
From 16thC; additions 1765; kennels 1800; entrance hall 1814; stable block and west quadrangle ('probably') c.1820; bridge 1830; reconstructions 1849; east lodge and gates 1853; alterations including addition of harl 1881; additions (piers, gates etc & West Lodge?) 1888-94; unroofed 1953.
PRATT, J. B., 1858, BUCHAN: A TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION, 136 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1410.
SCOTT, D, 1887, GRASS OF PARNASSUS FROM THE BENTS O’BUCHAN , 45, illus (Bibliographic reference). SAB1620.
BINNEY, M, 1980, LOST HOUSES OF SCOTLAND (Bibliographic reference). SAB3740.
Dec 17 2008 , GR DG-0023-82, GR DG-0023-82 (Ground Photograph). SAB20014.
Feb 15 2000 , AAS/00/04/CT113-8, AAS/00/04/CT113-8 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB12655.
Feb 15 2000 , AAS/00/04/G15/5, AAS/00/04/G15/5 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB12654.
Other Statuses/References
- Authority: ASH;
- HES Listed Building Number: 49988;
- NMR Card Number: NJ95SW15;
- NRHE Numlink: 20750;
- Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ95SW0010;
External Links (2)
- https://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB49988 (Historic Environment Scotland Portal Link)
- https://www.trove.scot/place/20750 (trove.scot link)
Sources/Archives (6)
- --- SAB12654 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 15 2000 . AAS/00/04/G15/5. Black & White. AAS/00/04/G15/5.
- --- SAB12655 Air-oblique Photograph: Feb 15 2000 . AAS/00/04/CT113-8. Colour Transparency. AAS/00/04/CT113-8.
- --- SAB1410 Bibliographic reference: PRATT, J. B.. 1858. BUCHAN: A TOPOGRAPHICAL DESCRIPTION. 136.
- --- SAB1620 Bibliographic reference: SCOTT, D. 1887. GRASS OF PARNASSUS FROM THE BENTS O’BUCHAN . Y. 45, illus.
- --- SAB20014 Ground Photograph: Dec 17 2008 . GR DG-0023-82. DG. GR DG-0023-82.
- --- SAB3740 Bibliographic reference: BINNEY, M. 1980. LOST HOUSES OF SCOTLAND. Y.
Finds (0)
Related Monuments/Buildings (0)
Related Events/Activities (0)
Record last edited
Oct 10 2024 2:54PM
