Document record MAB53471 - FINDRACK HOUSE

Site of a mansion, built in the late 17th to early 18th Century and set within a designed landscape (NJ60SW0035).

Site of a mansion, built in the late 17th to early 18th Century and set within a designed landscape (NJ60SW0035). Possibly built on the site of an earlier building. The house has been subject to various alterations throughout its lifetime. There appears to have been a house at Findrack since at least circa 1670, as there is a mention of the lands being purchased by Frances Fraser from Sir Robert Forbes. The rear (north) section appears to be the oldest part, potentially retaining elements dating to the 17th century although the detailing appears to be largely early 18th century. The east wing dates to 1862, and was designed by William Smith (son of renowned Aberdeen architect John Smith). It is an interesting mix of baronial towers and gables with a classical entrance. The south wing dates to the 19th Century and originally featured canted granite bays at each end, but was substantially altered by the addition of a glazed bay added in the 1980s. Despite the many alterations, the house retains a good vernacular character. Walled garden to the west (NJ60SW0100). Standing building survey was carried out by MAS in May 2019 ahead of proposed demolition. The earliest part of the building, the north wing, is the 2-storied farmhouse, initially a separate building with a south entrance doorway. Despite the documentary evidence for a building at Findrack from the 17th century the farmhouse is typical of larger late 18th or early 19th century farmhouses in Aberdeenshire. The block added by William Smith in 1862 is shown on the OS 1st edition map as a separate building, although no load bearing wall was evident on the north end of this new building. The two blocks were joined by the time of the 2nd edition map. A 1924 plan of proposed works (not undertaken) indicates that by this period the west end of the south wing had been added. A first floor extension above part of the kitchen and a 2-storey extension on the south side of the courtyard were added in the mid 20th century. There have since been further internal and external alterations. A watching brief was carried out by MAS in June and July during demolition to record any further details of the farmhouse. By the time of subsequent visit in July 2020 the basement/cellar of the old farmhouse had been dug out and it was not possible to ascertain any structural details or evidence of a 17th century structure on the site.

Period Notes
From c.1670 - 1700; east wing complete 1862; south-west bay opened up in the 1980s.

GEDDES, J., 2001, DEESIDE & THE MEARNS: AN ILLUSTRATED ARCHITECTURAL GUIDE, p.115 (Bibliographic reference). SAB2614.

MURRAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES, 2019, FINDRACK HOUSE, TORPHINS, ABERDEENSHIRE: STANDING BUILDING SURVEY, L2 SBS (Bibliographic reference). SAB7459.

MURRAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES, 2019, FINDRACK HOUSE, TORPHINS, ABERDEENSHIRE: WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION, WSI (Bibliographic reference). SAB7692.

MURRAY ARCHAEOLOGICAL SERVICES, 2020, FINDRACK HOUSE, TORPHINS, ABERDEENSHIRE: DEMOLITION AND SOIL STRIP OBSERVATION, WB report (Bibliographic reference). SAB7525.

SDD, n.d., BLDS OF ARCH & HIST INTEREST, LUMPHANAN 14 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1827.

Record last edited

May 30 2025 10:23AM