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Buildings

Basic Site Details

House of Schivas
Tarves
Aberdeenshire
Scotland
The Earl of Aberdeen has had restored as a residence for his eldest son (Lord Haddo) the old House of Schivas in the Parish of Tarves. It was built about 1640 by a descendent from a younger branch of the noble family of Kinfauns ... (sold to the Earl of Aberdeen in 1845) .... A few years ago the mansion house, then in a state of comparative ruin, was destroyed by fire leaving nothing but the stone walls, which are of great thickness and strength. In the restoration, which has been carried out by Mr Cobban, architect, Haddo House, all the old features of the original building have been retained and the house is now restored as it was nearly three hundred years ago. [British Architect 18 December 1903 Page 466]

HS references include a letter from Fenton Wyness and photographs in possession of W Douglas Simpson.

Building Type Classification

The building is classified under the following categories:

Class classic

ClassificationOriginal ClassificationNotes
Country HouseNot Known

Events

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

event classic

Event TypeFromToNotes
Build/construction1582a
1900Restoration from ruins for Earl of Aberdeen
1931Internal alterations
Reconstruction19341937Extensive alterations and additions, including great hall

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
Thomas LeiperBMason1582A
Arthur George Sydney MitchellA1900Restoration from ruins
George WilsonA1900Restoration from ruins
Sydney Mitchell & WilsonA1900Restoration from ruins
James CobbanA1902Restoration from ruins - as executant architect for scheme prepared by Sydney Mitchell
Arthur Hay Livingstone Mackinnon1931Internal alterations
[James] Fenton ('Tony') Wyness19341937Restoration, extensive alterations and additions, including great hall

Clients

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

client classic

NameNotes
Aberdeen, 7th Earl ofClient for 1900 restoration
Catto, Lord, of CairncattoClient for 1934-37 restoration
Gordon, GeorgePurchased the castle from his uncleJohn Gordon of Gight, in 1582

Related Buildings, Structures and Designs

References

Bibliographic References

The following books contain references to this building:

bio ref classic

AuthorYearTitlePartPublisherNotes
Shepherd, Ian1994Gordon: an illustrated architectural guidep186
Walker, David W and Woodworth, Matthew2015The Buildings of Scotland: Aberdeenshire North and MorayYale University Presspp43, 250-252

Periodical References

The following periodicals contain references to this building:

period ref classic

Periodical NameDateEditionPublisherNotes
Aberdeen Daily Journal1903/12/15*
Aberdeen Daily Journal1920/03/09*
British Architect1903/12/18p466 - article taken from the Scotsman

Archive References

The following archives hold material relating to this building:

arc ref classic

SourceNameCat NumberItem NameNotes
RIBA Archive, Victoria & Albert MuseumRIBA Nomination PapersJames Cobban: L v16 no1186; Fenton Wyness: F no4140 (box 33)
Historic Environment ScotlandListed Buildings Register15982