The Priory

The Priory is a house, originally built as a rectory, dating to the 18th century with substantial additions in the 19th century. It was built in 1852 for Hon Rev G. Gordon, nephew of the Marquis of Huntly, to the design of architect W J Donthorne. The building is an example of Gothic Revival style, with later 19th-century service extensions and a billiard room linked to the east side.

The house is constructed of ashlar Ketton limestone and coursed rubble limestone with ashlar dressings and dressed stone quoins, with painted brick used in later work. The roofs are of Collyweston stone slate with patterned ridge tiles and pantiles. The main north-south range is slightly advanced from the range to the east, which is set at a right angle and has a gable end stack. A gabled entrance porch facing west is located in the angle between the main range and the service wing.

The south elevation features plain, chamfered parapet gables, a band between the floors with a moulded edge, and a plinth. The stack and gable end stack are two stages high with moulded cornices, and one has embattled decoration. A dated gable plaque, inscribed '1852', is recessed in a niche with a square head and foliate stops. Two ground floor three-light hung sash windows have ogee-trefoiled heads and blank shields in the spandrels. Above them are two first-floor hung sash three-light windows with a moulded cornice; one has a facade gable. Cast iron gutters with scalloped heads are present.

The entrance porch has a gabled hollow-chamfered parapet coping and a diagonal buttress leading to a double-leafed door with glazed panels shaped to a two-centred archway with continuous moulded orders, label, and head stops. A plaque displaying the Huntly achievement or arms is recessed in a niche above the doorway, with a trefoiled head.

The interior features a Gothic staircase, three stone chimney pieces (one with ball flower and crocket ornament), original panelled doors, and pattern tiles in the entrance lobby.