Basic Site Details Name: | Blairs College | City or county: | Aberdeenshire | Country: | Scotland | Parish: | | Status: | B listed | Grid ref: | | Notes: | St Mary’s College, Blairs, was founded in 1829 when a local landowner, John Menzies of Pitfodels (1756-1843), donated his mansion and estate of 1000 acres to the Catholic Church. The house became a seminary for Catholic boys who wished to become priests. Due to growing numbers a new three-storey college was begun in 1897, and was quickly followed by a new chapel. The College, which had been built at a cost of £33,000 , was formally opened on the 23rd September 1903 by Bishop Chisholm
The college closed in 1986 due to falling numbers and has remained mosty empty since. Blairs Museum, the Museum of Scotland's Catholic Heritage occupies part of the complex and plans have been announced for a £115m hotel
Check if some other part of this is A Listed. Lodge etc is C Listed. New wing to complete extension to cost £12,000 [Builder 1901]
'Buildings of Scotland' states that John Henderson was responsible for a doorway in the hall of the 1892 College and the dado and angle pilasters. This cannot be John Henderson (1802-1862) but it is not clear which other John Henderson might have been responsible. | Alternative NamesThe following alternative names are associated with this building/design: | | Name | Current name? | Notes | | Blairs Catholic College | | | | St Mary's College, New College | Yes | |
Building Type ClassificationThe building is classified under the following categories: | | Classification | Original classification? | Notes | | College | | |
Street AddressesThe following street addresses are associated with this building: | | Address | Main entrance? | Notes | | South Deeside Road | | |
EventsThe following date-based events are associated with this building: | | From | To | Event type | Notes | | 1898 | 1902 | Build/construction | New buildings | | 1903 | | Opened | Formal opening 23 September 1903 | | c. 1919 | | Build/construction | War memorial |
PeopleDesign and Construction
Related Buildings, Structures and DesignsChild StructuresThis structure or site has the following component or child structures (click on an item to view details): | | Building Name | Notes | | Blairs College, Menzies House | St Mary’s College, Blairs, was founded in 1829 when a local landowner, John Menzies of Pitfodels (1756-1843), donated his mansion and estate of 1000 acres to the Catholic Church. The house (Menzies House) became a seminary for Catholic boys who wished to become priests. Partially demolished it is the oldest building on the site and the core of the later college buildings. | | Blairs College, New Chapel | A chapel is being added to the Roman Catholic College at Blairs, N.B., at a cost of £12,000, borne by Monsigneur Teunon, of Liverpool. It will consist of nave and aisles, transepts, and apsidal chancel, and tower and pinnacled spire rising to a height of 150ft. The style is Perpendicular, and the facing material Aberdeen grey granite. Mr. A Curran, of Warrington, is the architect. Other buildings are being added to the college at a further cost of £28,000. The architect for these was Mr. R. G. Wilson. [Building News 31 March 1899 p441] | | Blairs College, St Mary's Old Chapel and Menzies Apartments | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this building: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes | | Anson, Peter | 1963 | Catholic Church Building in Scotland | | | | | Sharples, J, Walker, D W and Woodworth, M | 2015 | The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire South and Aberdeen | | London and New Haven: Yale University Press | pp85, 385 | | Who's Who in Architecture | 1923 | | | | |
Periodical ReferencesThe following periodicals contain references to this building: | | Periodical Name | Date | Edition | Publisher | Notes | | Aberdeen Observer | 4 May 1917 | | | Obituary of Alexander Ellis | | British Architect | 2 October 1903 | | | p253 - formal opening | | Builder | 23 October 1897 | | | p331 - Extension, Catholic College, Blairs near Aberdeen | | Builder | 10 August 1901 | | | p147 |
Archive ReferencesThe following archives hold material relating to this building: | | Source | Archive name | Source catalogue no. | Notes | | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 19225 | College | | Historic Environment Scotland | Listed Buildings Register | 19228 | Gate piers and lodge | | RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum | RIBA Nomination Papers | | John Wilson Walker: F v25 no1871 (microfilm reel 15); Robert Gordon Wilson Junior: F v25 no1872 (microfilm reel 15) |
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