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Dictionary of Scottish Architects (1660 - 1980)
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Basic Site Details
Name
Skibo Castle
Town, District or Village
Skibo
Parish
City or County
Sutherland
Status
Country
Scotland
Grid Ref
Grid Ref N
Grid Ref E
Notes
Also info from undated cutting DMW notes. Ross additions cost £25,000.
Because Ross himself was very busy woth the alterations and renovations at Ardross at this time, much of the work at Skibo was undertaken by Macbeth.
Glasshouses by Mackenzie & Moncur
Building Type Classification
The building is classified under the following categories:
Class classic
Classification
Original Classification
Notes
Country House
Not Known
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Events
The following date-based events are associated with this building:
event classic
Event Type
From
To
Notes
1880
Reconstruction for Mr Buchanan
1897
1898
Andrew Carnegie leased Skibo
1898
1899
Alterations and additions, including swimming and Turkish baths, power station, dairy buildings, principal lodge etc
1898
Date of drawings for alterations and additions, including swimming and Turkish baths, power station, dairy buildings, principal lodge etc
1898m
Andrew Carnegie purchased Skibo
Foundation stone
1899/06
Foundation stone laid by Carnegie\'s daughter Margaret.
Completion
1902/05
Massive additions completed in time for Carnegie\'s summer visit
1904
Gardens and terrace
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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.
design classic
Person
Partnership Group
Role
From
To
Notes
Clarke & Bell
A
1880
Reconstruction
George Bell II
A
1880
Reconstruction
Alexander Ross
B
1899
1902a
Alterations and additions, including swimming and Turkish baths, power station, dairy buildings, principal lodge (probably) etc
Robert John Macbeth
B
1899
1902a
Alterations and additions, including swimming and Turkish baths, power station, dairy buildings etc
Ross & Macbeth
B
1899
1902a
Alterations and additions, including swimming and Turkish baths, power station, dairy buildings etc
William Wardlaw Sclanders
B
1899
1902a
Alterations and additions, including swimming and Turkish baths, power station, dairy buildings etc - as assistant to Ross & Macbeth
Thomas Kerr
B
1902
Alterations and additions, including swimming and Turkish baths, power station, dairy buildings etc - as assistant to Ross & Macbeth
Thomas Hayton Mawson
1904
Gardens and terrace
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Clients
The following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design:
client classic
Name
Notes
Buchanan, Mr
Carnegie, Andrew
Client for 1900s work
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Related Buildings, Structures and Designs
Child Structures
This structure or site has the following component or child structures (click on an item to view details):
Child classic
Notes
Name
Factor's House, Overskibo
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References
Bibliographic References
The following books contain references to this building:
bio ref classic
Author
Year
Title
Part
Publisher
Notes
Gifford, John
1992
Highland and Islands (The Buildings of Scotland)
Penguin Books
p591
Gordon, Ian and Inglis, Simon
2009
Great Lengths: the Historic Indoor Swimming Pools of Great Britain
English Heritage
p98
Wall, Joseph Frazier
1984
Skibo Castle
OUP
Waymark, Janet
2009
Thomas Mawson: Life, Gardens and Landscape
Frances Lincoln Ltd. London
p232, pp59-62 illus
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Periodical References
The following periodicals contain references to this building:
period ref classic
Periodical Name
Date
Edition
Publisher
Notes
Inverness Courier
1880/02/05
*
Clarke and Bell work
Builder
1901/01/05
p22
Scottish Local History Forum
2007
Autumn
pp24-29
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Archive References
The following archives hold material relating to this building:
arc ref classic
Source
Name
Cat Number
Item Name
Notes
RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert Museum
RIBA Nomination Papers
George Bell II: F v17 p69 no1131 (microfilm reel 12); Thomas Kerr: L v18 no1383; Robert John Macbeth: F v17 no1115; William Wardlaw Sclanders: L v20 no1572 (particular phase of work unspecified)
National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMS
Drawings Collection
Ross & Macbeth drawings in survey of private collections
Highland Archives
Alexander Ross collection with handlist
Two bags of drawings and other papers on Skibo
Historic Environment Scotland
Listed Buildings Register
597
House, garden terraces etc
Historic Environment Scotland
Listed Buildings Register
600
Power station
Historic Environment Scotland
Listed Buildings Register
280
Principal gatelodge
Courtesy of Stafford Watters
Information given to Yvonne Hillyard
Sent June 2011
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