Brucklay Castle

Ruinous. Thomas Mackenzie, 1849 and Mackenzie and Matthews (probably James Matthews), 1881, 1888 and 1894 Scots baronial house. Reconstruction of 17th century tower house, itself probably incorporating 16th century fabric, altered 1765 (including W front) and 1815. 3- and 4-storey house with tall centre tower and caphouse added to SW of earlier structure. Partial demolition 1953, but some E (entrance), N and W elevational detail and some interior walls remain. Harl, squared granite and coursed rubble. Some ashlar margins and architraves. Elaborate corbels, roll and ropework mouldings, and band courses. Chamfered arrises. Elevational details described complete to wallhead (2004).

E (ENTRANCE) ELEVATION: turreted and heavily corbelled porte cochere projecting at centre from 4-storey crowstepped bay with rounded angle to left corbelled to square and again round at attic bartizan, and square-headed windows, that to gablehead corbelled and canopied. Regularly-fenestrated 2-storey and attic, 2-bay block to right with bartizan to outer angle and single storey, bartizaned bay beyond. 2 bays to left of centre (formerly mirroring the above) with some evidence of openings.

N ELEVATION: 3-storey, 2-bay crowstepped gable to centre with 2 bays to right and further crowstepped bay angled to left (this covered with vegetation), further 2-bay crowstepped gable to outer left with single storey bay projecting at ground.

W ELEVATION: 4-storey, 3-bay elevation of 1765, with 1849 stair tower. Coursed squared granite. Evidence of single storey service courtyard projecting at ground, architraved 1st floor door to centre with semicircular pediment monogrammed with initials 'ADF', and regular fenestration. Corbelled round tower (1849) to left and angle turret to right. Apparently isolated outer right angled bay with corbelled and pedimented oriel window at apex (remains of 19th century S elevation).

INTERIOR: ground largely filled with debris overlaying vaults broken through in places.