Building record MAB8702 - DARNLEY HOUSE, 11 THE SQUARE, FOCHABERS

North facing 2 storey, symmetrical 5-bay house with return gable to George Street.

North facing 2 storey, symmetrical 5-bay house with return gable to George Street. Built in 1788 as a Manse to a design by architect John Baxter. It is constructed of mixed rubble, red sandstone rubble gables with tooled ashlar sandstone dressings and margins. The central door is in a round headed recessed entrance and flanked by ground floor windows that are set behind a shallow blind arcade. There are narrow first floor windows and paired square headed attic windows in the return gables with 2-pane glazing. There are moulded copes and stacks, and a graded Banffshire slate roof. A modern extension has been constructed to the rear. Some of the original internal field panelled window shutters survive. It reverted to the Duke of Gordon when the incumbent, Rev John Anderson who combined the post of Duke's Commissioner with his ministry, demitted charge but continued as Commissioner resident in 11 The Square (later named Darnley House). It was purchased in 1959 by the Church when the house once again became the parish manse. There are high rubble garden walls that flank George Street. It is a mirrored design with 7 The Square located on the east side of the Bellie Kirk (NJ35NW0020), which was originally constructed as the town hall and school.

Period Notes
Built in 1788. Designated 26/01/1971.

Aug 5 2003 , AAS-GR-03-08-015, AAS-GR-03-08-015 (Ground Photograph). SAB36088.

May 20 1986 , FT 23, FT 23 (Ground Photograph). SAB30661.

Record last edited

Jul 26 2026 8:51PM