Building record MAB4468 - BALLINDALLOCH CASTLE

Ballindalloch Castle is a fortified tower house and is an unusual variant on the Z-plan tower house.

Ballindalloch Castle is a fortified tower house and is an unusual variant on the Z-plan tower house. In the late-15th Century, a Medieval castle burnt down close to the site (MAB4469), and the present building was built shortly afterwards.

Ballindalloch Castle dates to circa 1542 or 1546, it was built by John Grant and his wife Barbara Gordon and remained in the same condition until 1717. Ballindalloch remained the property of the Grant family until the death of General William Grant in 1806, when the estate passed to George MacPherson of Invereshie, and later Sir George MacPherson-Grant. Two new wings were added to the north and south in 1770. The 2nd Baronet, Sir John Macpherson-Grant, commissioned Thomas Mackenzie to alter and remodel the castle in 1850. The house was restored between 1847-1859, and the courtyard and surrounding wings were built. Further alterations and additions occurred in 1875, when a new south wing was added. A further nine rooms were added in 1878. Alterations also occurred in 1926. The house was restored again in 1967. Various datestones are incorporated outside and inside the castle, and the watch tower is dated 1602.

The exterior is harled, with tooled and polished ashlar and granite dressings and margins. The original entrance to the castle from the north is flanked by two 18th Century wings, dating to 1718 and later. A stair tower was also added in circa 1718. The castle was re-cast to the south in 1850 by Thomas Mackenzie of Elgin. An imposing door piece in the base of the south tower is decorated with strapwork, text, armorials and a monogram, and is dated 1546 and 1850. The further additions and remodelling that took place in 1850 included the construction of the east wing and service court, with an arched east entrance. A corbelled square cap houses the original tower house, with slender stair turrets within re-entrant angles. There are 19th Century gabled dormers, with decorative detailing and monograms, and bartizans with slated conical roofs and apex finials. Mainly 12-pane glazing is used. There is a coped wall head, ridge stacks, and Banffshire slate roofs.

Inside, there is a vaulted entrance hall that was remodelled in 1850. Richly decorated ribs spring from the central column, and there is a painted ashlar baronial chimneypiece. A wide oak staircase opens from the hall, with turned and carved balusters, and there is a further turnpike staircase in the 1602 tower. The former first-floor hall was entirely redecorated in 1850 in a consciously historicist manner, with panelled walls, doors, and window shutters. There is nail-head detailing to window embrasures and door pieces, ornate strapwork, and a pendant plaster ceiling. A marble chimneypiece has flanking caryatids, a coat of arms, and a monogram. The panelled library has a carved chimneypiece with a marble surround.

The house sits within a 17th and 18th Century designed landscape. Within this landscape is situated the Grant mausoleum (MAB4540), a bothy and walled garden (MAB4542), cottages (MAB4537), a dovecot (MAB4473), stables and cart sheds (MAB4536), and lodges. The Bridge of Avon (MAB4478), opened in 1800, leads to the South Lodge (MAB4544).

WATSON, J, 1868, MORAYSHIRE DESCRIBED, 48-51 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2003.

MACGIBBON, D, 1892, THE CASTELLATED AND DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE OF SCOTLAND, 1-5, 61,149 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1140.

MCKEAN, C, 1987, MORAY: AN ILLUSTRATED ARCHITECTURAL GUIDE, 162 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1142.

Apr 19 2000 , GR/00/CT106-118, GR/00/CT106-118 (Ground Photograph). SAB36931.

SDD, n.d., BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST, 10, 2-3 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1827.

Author unknown, n.d., THE NORTHERN SCOT, 02/08/80 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1270.

Author unknown, n.d., THE NORTHERN SCOT, 20/09/1980 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1270.

Record last edited

Oct 1 2026 7:09PM