Basic Site Details

Name: Castle Fraser
City or county: Aberdeenshire
Country: Scotland
Parish:  
Status:  
Grid ref:
Notes:  

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:
 ClassificationOriginal classification?Notes
Item 1 of 1Castle  

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:
 FromToEvent typeNotes
Item 1 of 1315631576Build/constructionOriginal tower. East turnpike stair almost certainly part of works of this period.
Item 2 of 1316171618AdditionHeightening of walls
Item 3 of 13Early 1600s AdditionFurther work after John Bell, including the geometric floor.
Item 4 of 13c. 1794 Build/constructionHexagonal stable block
Item 5 of 13After 1815Before 1840Build/constructionLandscape developed
Item 6 of 1318161818Decoration carried outRedecoration of hall and minor alterations
Item 7 of 13c. 1824  Additions, probably buildings at North entrance gate and main staircase
Item 8 of 1318301838 Interior of library and other alterations
Item 9 of 131921  Design for large alterations - not executed. Also stables
Item 10 of 1319231926 Drawings for stables dated
Item 11 of 131926 Design exhibited 
Item 12 of 13After 1928  Restoration work - left unfinished
Item 13 of 131996 RepairAlterations and remedial work to stables

People

Design and Construction

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work. Where architects or practices worked together, matching letters appear beside their names in the Partnership Group column.
 NameRolePartnership GroupFromToNotes
Item 1 of 20Thomas Leiper W15631576Attribution on stylistic grounds (for example triple gun loops). East turnpike stair almost certainly part of works of this period.
Item 2 of 20John Bell k16171618Heightening of walls. Work signed 'I. Bel'
Item 3 of 20James Leiper VEarly 1600s Commissioned to do further work after John Bell, including the geometric floor.
Item 4 of 20James Byres U1790s May have been involved. May have acted as agent providing bas relief sculpture for Moses Well in grounds.
Item 5 of 20James Massie U17901791Employed to overhaul the roofs.
Item 6 of 20John Paterson Cc. 1794 Hexagonal stable block
Item 7 of 20James Giles KAfter 1815Before 1840Landscape developed
Item 8 of 20William Burn T18161818Redecoration of hall and minor alterations
Item 9 of 20John Smith Ac. 1824 Additions, probably buildings at North entrance gate, main staircase (removed)
Item 10 of 20John Smith B18301838Interior of library and other alterations
Item 11 of 20(Sir) Robert Stodart Lorimer  1921 Proposed large alterations. Also stables
Item 12 of 20Morton John Heddell Cowie  c. 1923(?) Sketch plans in Cowie & Seaton collection; unclear whether for alterations (in which case probably by Leadbetter, Fairley & Reid) or simply study sketches by Cowie
Item 13 of 20James McLellan Fairley Ec. 1923 Plans in Cowie & Seaton collection - possibly for alterations by Leadbetter, Fairley & Reid?
Item 14 of 20Leadbetter, Fairley & Reid Ec. 1923 Plans in Cowie & Seaton collection - possibly for alterations by Leadbetter, Fairley & Reid?
Item 15 of 20Robert Stirling Reid Ec. 1923 Plans in Cowie & Seaton collection - possibly for alterations by Leadbetter, Fairley & Reid?
Item 16 of 20James Brown Nicol DAfter 19281939Restoration work - left unfinished
Item 17 of 20Kelly & Nicol DAfter 19281939Restoration work - left unfinished
Item 18 of 20William Kelly DAfter 19281939Restoration work - left unfinished
Item 19 of 20Henry ('Harry') James Lyall Mantell J1996 Alterations and remedial work to stables
Item 20 of 20Meldrum & Mantell J1996 Alterations and remedial work to stables

Clients

The following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design:
 NameNotes
Item 1 of 3Fraser, Colonel Charles MackenzieCleint for William Burn decoration
Item 2 of 3Fraser, ElyzaClient for John Paterson stable block
Item 3 of 3Pearson, Clive - Hon 

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:
 Author(s)DateTitlePartPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 6Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 London: YUP. 4th edition 
Item 2 of 6Royal Academy exhibitors    1926, no 1209
Item 3 of 6RSA1925   590
Item 4 of 6Savage, Peter1980Lorimer and the Edinburgh Craft Designers Edinburgh: Paul Harris Publishing, 1980 (also paperback ed, London & Edinburgh: Steve Savage, 2005)p177
Item 5 of 6Sharples, J, Walker, D W and Woodworth, M2015The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire South and Aberdeen London and New Haven: Yale University Presspp51, 405-407, 410-413
Item 6 of 6Simpson, W Douglas A tribute offered by the University of Aberdeen to the memory of William Kelly LLD ARSA  p7

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:
 Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Item 1 of 2Proceedings of the Soc. of Antiquaries of ScotlandBetween 1977 and 1978No 109 pp246, 257 & 260-1 - H Gordon Slade. Variant plans by Paterson dated 1794.
Item 2 of 2Scottish FieldJanuary 1950   

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:
 SourceArchive nameSource catalogue no.Notes
Item 1 of 4Courtesy of Harry MantellInformation sent via'Contact Us' on DSA website Sent October 2009
Item 2 of 4National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSCowie and Seaton Collection CSE 1920/92/1 - unclear whether these plans are for alterations or are simply study sketches
Item 3 of 4National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSLorimer and Matthew Collection LOR C/4, LOR C/10
Item 4 of 4Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of ScotlandCanmore18722