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Buildings

Basic Site Details

Aboyne Castle
Aboyne
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
(At Aboyne castle) Mr Truefitt, about five years ago, pulled down the old kitchen department, which was in a ruinous condition, and erected new buildings in their place, all of granite with stepped gables, very simply done, but effectively. We notice the total absence of mouldings, everything done being square in the edges, and which seems to be the most reasonable way of using granite, - certainly the best way of saving the client’s pocket. We have often seen in polished work that square members look better than moulded, and cost nothing at all compared with the latter. We now see the same result in unpolished work. [Aberdeen Journal/Builder 19 September 1874 p791-792]

The involvement of George Truffitt would suggest a link between this work and the marriage of the Marquis to the daughter of William Cunliffe Brooks in 1869. See also Glen Tanar. Aboyne Castle largely demolished and Truefitt\'s work completely removed.

About 1899 T H Mawson prepared plans for new entrances. avenues, and carriage court, together with extensive lawns and gardens at the castle. Mawson had previously worked for Sir William Cunliffe Brooks at the nearby Glen Tanar estate.

During restoration, interior plasterwork by Albert Cramb and masonwork by Alistair Urquhart

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:

Class classic

ClassificationOriginal ClassificationNotes
CastleNot Known

Events

The following date-based events are associated with this building:

event classic

Event TypeFromToNotes
Alterations and additions1835Since removed
1860Proposed additions probably not built
Addition1869cNew buildings replacing ktchens
1885Proposals for additions
189Remodelling
Addition1899cEntrances. avenues, carriage court, extensive lawns and gardens proposed - not executed
1904Restoration and alterations
Restoration19741982

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

PersonPartnership GroupRoleFromToNotes
William BurnBArchitect1835Alterations and additions (since removed)
James Matthews1860Proposed additions probably not built
George Truefitt1869CAdditions
John Russell Mackenzie1885Proposals for additions
George Haywood Truefitt189Remodelling
Dan GibsonDArchitect1899CEntrances. avenues, carriage court, extensive lawns and gardens proposed.
Mawson & GibsonDArchitectural practice1899CEntrances. avenues, carriage court, extensive lawns and gardens proposed.
Thomas Hayton MawsonDGarden designer1899CEntrances. avenues, carriage court, extensive lawns and gardens proposed.
George Bennett Mitchell1904Restoration and additions
Ian McKerron BeggAArchitect19741982Restoration. Partner in charge.
Robert Hurd & Partners (or R A Hurd & Partners)AArchitect19741982Restoration. Practice in conjunction with L A Rolland at this time.
Dainton & DrakeBScheme for Aboyne Castle with Fyvie features

Clients

The following individuals or organisations have commissioned work on this building/design:

client classic

NameNotes
Aboyne Castle EstateClient for 1904 restoration and alterations
Cunliffe-Brooks, Sir WilliamManchester banker and Member of Parliament. Client for 1899 work, including gardens
Huntly, 9th Marquis ofClient for William Burn work
Marquis of HuntlyFor 1869 work? or was this paid for by Sir William Cunliffe Brooks

Related Buildings, Structures and Designs

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:

bio ref classic

AuthorYearTitlePartPublisherNotes
Allen, Nic (ed.)Scottish Architects in Conservationp55
Colvin, Howard2008A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840London: YUP. 4th edition
Geddes, Jane2001Deeside and the Mearns: An Illustrated Architectural GuideEdinburgh: RIAS/Rutland Pressp115
Glendinning, M, MacInnes, R and MacKechnie, A1996A History of Scottish Architecturep574
Jamieson, David and Wilson, W Stewart2001Old Royal DeesideStenlakep25 (as in 1915)
Mawson, Thomas H1927The Life and Works of an English Landscape Architectp46 onwards
Sharples, J, Walker, D W and Woodworth, M2015The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire South and AberdeenLondon and New Haven: Yale University Presspp65, 312
Waymark, Janet2009Thomas Mawson: Life, Gardens and LandscapeFrances Lincoln Ltd. Londonp87

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:

period ref classic

Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Builder1874/09/19p791-792 Reprinted from Aberdeen Journal
RIBA Transactions1870p125-128 List of works by Burn compiled by T L Donaldson

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:

arc ref classic

SourceNameCat NumberItem NameNotes
Information courtesy of Graeme More who has specialist knowledge of Dan GibsonInformation via website (from Graeme More)
Aberdeen City ArchivesGeorge Bennett Mitchell and Son CollectionGMB 1900/5/1
National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSDrawings CollectionFor proposed Mackenzie additions etc
DMW ArchiveA G R Mackenzie notes
Lord AboyneAboyne Castle drawingsCopies of drawings in NMRS
Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register3122
RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Drawings Collection
National Monuments Record of Scotland/NMRS, RCAHMSNMRS Architects Index