Building record MAB39462 - FASQUE HOUSE

Fasque House, built 1809-13, to replace a smaller house known as 'Faskie' to the northwest.

Fasque House, built 1809-13, to replace a smaller house known as 'Faskie' to the northwest. The 19th century house is a very large symmetrical castellated mansion. Main block 3-storey with central 4-storey canted bay tower having a Doric portico at base with unusual octagonal blocking and abaci, and crenellated above blocking course. On either side 3-window ranges and octagonal corner turrets. Two-storey 3-window wings, also with octagonal angle turrets. At gables canted bays with one window either side. Rubble-built with droved dressings, crenellated throughout, simple severe treatment, original sashes. Elegant interior work, circular top lit hall with Corinthian columns set in segmentally-arched openings. A smaller 18th century house was demolished (which stood some 38m north of the present house), before the present house was built in 1809 by Sir Alexander Ramsay of Balmain and Fasque, who ruined himself building the house at a cost of £30,000. Purchased by John Gladstone (1764-1851), a Liverpool-based merchant of Scottish birth, for £80,000 in 1829. Gladstone and his family moved into the house in 1833. In 1845, Gladstone was created a baronet (the Baronetcy of Fasque and Balfour). Following his death in 1851, the estate passed to his oldest son, Sir Thomas Gladstone, making him 2nd Baronet of Fasque and Balfour. He also served as Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire from 1876. Sir John Gladstone's fourth son, William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), served as British Prime Minister four times, and visited the Fasque Estate on many occasions. Fasque House continued to be occupied until 1932, after which it was closed up until the 1970s when the house was passed to the 7th Baronet, Sir Esrkine William Gladstone. In 2003 the house was closed once more, and in 2007 it was sold. There is a large walled garden to south of house with central garden house. Much of the house remains unchanged from Victorian times with a Laundry, Wash-house, Boot Hall, Lamp room, Dairy and Bakery still to be seen. North of the east end of the servants wing are the remains of a large store building and enclosed wheel pit building, with the remains of an overshot iron water wheel in situ, this then overgrown building rediscovered in 2010 during initial assessment of the property by AOC Archaeology, and subject to building recording. The wheel provided the power source for the laundry at the house. To the east is a chapel, originally a private chapel built by Sir John Gladstone for the use of Fasque House (NO67NE0083). Building recording of the house was carried out by AOC Archaeology in November 2016 ahead of proposed refurbishments.

Period Notes
Landscaping and tree planting began 1730s. Built 1809; sold to Gladstones 1829; fire damaged 1872. Mid-19thC pavilion. Listed 18/08/1972.

Author unknown, , PRESS & JOURNAL, 17/08/XX (Bibliographic reference). SAB1416.

CAMERON, AC, 1899, HISTORY OF FETTERCAIRN, 142-3 (Bibliographic reference). SAB214.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2010, FASQUE ESTATE ABERDEENSHIRE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK BASED ASSESSMENT AND STANDING BUILDING APPRAISAL (Bibliographic reference). SAB3558.

HWICCAN ARCHAEOLOGY, 2012, FASQUE HOUSE, FETTERCAIRN, ABERDEENSHIRE, WATER WHEEL DRIVEN LAUNDRY - HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING, Building recording (Bibliographic reference). SAB5977.

NORTH WORCESTERSHIRE ARCHAEOLOGY GROUP, 2012, MILL, FASQUE ESTATE, ABERDEENSHIRE, SCOTLAND: TECHNICAL REPORT, Technical Rep (Bibliographic reference). SAB1328.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2016, FASQUE ESTATE, ABERDEENSHIRE: HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING (ESTATE BUILDINGS) WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION, WSI (Bibliographic reference). SAB7882.

AOC ARCHAEOLOGY, 2016, FASQUE HOUSE AND FASQUE HOUSE ESTATE BUILDINGS: HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING REPORT, SBS (Bibliographic reference). SAB6543.

Jan 30 1997 , AAS/97/03/CT5, 7, AAS/97/03/CT5, 7 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16629.

Jan 30 1997 , AAS/97/03/G4/28-29, AAS/97/03/G4/28-29 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB16628.

Jun 23 2005 , AAS/05/03/CT55-7, AAS/05/03/CT55-7 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB18249.

Mar 28 2003 , GR/03/CT172-173, GR/03/CT172-173 (Ground Photograph). SAB37226.

May 23 1986 , FY 17-22, FY 17-22 (Ground Photograph). SAB15421.

May 25 1994 , AAS/94/08/G18/12-5, AAS/94/08/G18/12-5 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB15419.

SDD, n.d., BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST, FETTERCAIRN 12,13 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1827.

Sep 12 1984 , DB 31-32, DB 31-32 (Ground Photograph). SAB15420.

Record last edited

Aug 19 2025 11:25AM