Building record MAB5998 - ARNDILLY HOUSE, CRAIGELLACHIE

The mansion, Arndilly house, was built in circa 1770 on the site of an early church of Artedol, seat of the MacDowall Grants in 18th and 19th centuries.

The mansion, Arndilly house, was built in circa 1770 on the site of an early church of Artedol, seat of the MacDowall Grants in 18th and 19th centuries. An earlier house was built in 1750, and burned down ten years later. The new house was remodelled in 1826 by William Robertson, Elgin, and in 1850 in the neo-Jacobean style by architect Thomas Mackenzie, Elgin. It is a tall 3-storey and attic, wide 3-bay south facing mansion, with single storey rear wings enclosing a narrow service court that is closed at the north by a long single storey and loft north facing stable range. It is constructed of mixed granite rubble, with tooled granite ashlar dressings to all the mid 18th century work, and polished sandstone ashlar dressings to the 1850 re-modelling. There is a rear central stair turret from circa 1770 terminating in a shallow pyramidal roof and flanked at the northeast by a 3-storey, single bay wing, probably from 1826. There are centre projecting canted first and second floor windows from 1850, and full height canted projecting windows at the east and west gables from circa 1770. The west is fronted by a substantial 1850 circular terrace built over a single storey drum shaped wing containing a cool store. The circular rotunda terrace is reached by a curving balustrade stair built against the south face of the curved wall. Previously there was a circular glasshouse on the rotunda, which was removed in the early 20th century. The 1850 centre entrance is under a round-headed arch with a radial fanlight, and is flanked by similar shaped aproned windows, all linked by a continuous moulded shaped cornice. The entrance was fronted by an 1850 arcaded and keystoned balustraded porte-cochere supporting ornamental urns. There are rainwater goods initialled 'H McD G' (Hay MacDowall Grant). The small square angle and front wallhead turrets have ogee slated roofs, a shaped centre wallhead gablet, shaped end gables and pedimented dormer windows, all dating from 1850 and with multi-pane glazing. There is a rear arched entrance to the service court through the stable block, which is enclosed by a low coped wall. There is a simple entrance hall leading to a circular rear stairhall with fine circular cantilevered staircase rising full 2-storey height. The stairs have a moulded underside, and turned wooden balusters and wooden handrail that are shaped at the first floor landing. There are a pair of shallow round-headed niches at the ground and first floor. The principle public rooms at the first floor level include the drawing room, which is a west facing room with a fine plaster ceiling with ornate angle urns and deep cornice from circa 1770. There are fielded panelled window shutters and doors, the latter have carved overdoors that are decorated with shell detailing. A white marble chimneypiece has been somewhat altered, and has a yellow marble inlay. The dining room has glazed mural cupboards from 1850, with moulded surrounds and angle rosettes. The sitting room is an east facing room, with an 1850 compartmented plaster ceiling, panelled doors and window shutters and a carved chimneypiece. A Pictish symbol stone was built into the west gable (NJ24NE0002). There are paired heightened ridge stacks and slate roofs. Approximately 20 skeletons lying east-west were found under the north part of house in 1965 during renovations.

Period Notes
The earlier house was built in 1750, and then burned down in c.1760. The present house was built in circa 1770, with additions in 1826 and remodelling in 1850. Skeletons discovered in 1965 during renovations. The site was designated on 22/02/1972, and its status was changed from a B to an A on 24/03/1988.

SHAW, L, 1882, HIST OF PROV OF MORAY II, VOL I(1882) 172 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1627.

ALLEN, JR, 1903, EARLY CHRISTIAN MONUMENTS OF SCOTLAND 3, 1903,151 (Bibliographic reference). SAB3.

MCKEAN, C, 1987, MORAY: AN ILLUSTRATED ARCHITECTURAL GUIDE, p.154 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1142.

Author unknown, n.d., NSA, No13(1834) 355 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1269.

Author unknown, n.d., THE NORTHERN SCOT, 13/09/80 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1270.

Record last edited

Sep 25 2024 3:09PM