Landscape record MAB9618 - KILDRUMMY CASTLE

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Summary

Remains of a 17th to 19th century designed landscape of Kildrummy New Castle (NJ41NE0092) which included the remains of Kildrummy Castle (NJ41NE0004).

Protected Status/Designation

  • Registered Garden or Designed Landscape GDL00237: Kildrummy Castle

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred NJ 4547 1652 (773m by 528m) Centred at - Polygon: Known Site Extent
Map sheet NJ41NE
Authority Aberdeenshire
Civil Parish Kildrummy

Type and Period (8)

Full Description

Remains of a 17th to 19th century designed landscape of Kildrummy New Castle (NJ41NE0092) which included the remains of Kildrummy Castle (NJ41NE0004). In 1739 John Erskine, 22nd Earl of Mar sold the Kildrummy estate to John Gordon of Wardhouse. The layout of the earliest designed landscape associated with the castle ruins were created by the Gordon family who also built Kildrummy Lodge circa 1835. The OS 1st edition map shows the Lodge, with walled garden to the southwest and other buildings to the northeast. At the road entrance to the east is Castle Cottage (NJ41NE0180). In 1898 the estate was bought by Colonel James Ogston who built a new house, Kildrummy New Castle (NJ41NE0092), and further developed the designed landscape, creating the gardens in the Back Den valley. Two large terraces surround the mansion house on its south and west sides, established following construction of the New Castle. The viaduct over the Back Den (Back Den bridge NJ41NE0131) was built in 1900, designed by A Marshall Mackenzie. The Lodge was relocated on construction of the New Castle (now named Ardhuncart Lodge (NJ41NE0168)). The 2nd edition OS map shows a quarry northeast of the house, at the site of earlier buildings. The Gate Lodge (NJ41NE0179) was built circa 1900 following the construction of a new drive. In 1904 the burn of the Back Den was dammed and several large pools connected by a series of cascades were created. Rock work was constructed by a Japanese firm of landscape architects and the firm of Messrs Backhouse of York under the direction of Mr David Peary transformed the old quarry and built steps and planted choice shrubs, trees and climbers. Stones within the garden include benches with sculpted lion supports from Water Priory, Yorkshire, thought to be of 18thy century date.

Period Notes
Back Den viaduct built 1900. Gate Lodge built circa 1900.


Sep 4 2007 , AAS/07/1/CT43-47, AAS/07/1/CT43-47 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19285.

Other Statuses/References

  • Authority: ASH;
  • NMR Card Number: NJ41NE70;
  • NRHE Numlink: 252950;
  • Old Historic Environment Record Ref: NJ41NE0116;

External Links (2)

Sources/Archives (1)

  • --- Air-oblique Photograph: Sep 4 2007 . AAS/07/1/CT43-47. Colour Transparency. AAS/07/1/CT43-47.

Finds (0)

Related Monuments/Buildings (1)

Related Events/Activities (0)

Record last edited

Jun 11 2026 7:39PM

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