Near Banchory, Raemoir House Hotel, Pair Of Pillars To Garden

Raemoir House Hotel, near Banchory, is a Classical mansion house dating back to 1817, with subsequent work in 1844 and 1927. The original house comprised a five-bay south-facing core. In 1844, a two-bay bow was added to the left, and a later 19th-century two-bay section with a crowstepped gable to the right. The building is constructed of granite ashlar, with coursed squared rubble forming the basement of the additions and the west elevation. A string course separates the floors of the additions, and deep eaves and a blocking course sit above. The central 1817 section is topped with a hung-slate attic. Steps overhang the basement, leading to the entrance door at the centre of the south elevation. The west elevation features a three-bay section to the right, with a slightly advanced pedimented centre bay and a pedimented entrance porch to the left. The porch has a basket-arched entrance, and an armorial panel, dated 1817 and 1844, is set in the pediment. A pair of tripartite windows are located to the right of the east elevation. Windows are timber sash and case with 12-pane and 18-pane glazing. The roof is pitched slate, and the stacks are corniced ashlar with clay cans.

The interior, viewed in 2013, retains a fine classical scheme from 1817, 1844, and 1927, with decorative plaster ceilings and detailed timberwork, including door and window surrounds and staircases. The dining room features semi-circular ends with curved mahogany doors within bracketed and corniced door frames, deep reeded skirting, a decorative cornice, and a ceiling rose. The drawing room (1927) has the feel of a shooting lodge, with walls lined in brown varnished timber boarding, a timber compartment ceiling, and a marble and timber fire surround.

Nearby, at a separate location (69567 99580), is a former U-plan stable block, converted to accommodation in 1986. It comprises a two-storey red granite range to the south and single-storey grey granite ranges to the rear. It is constructed of roughly squared and coursed granite with shouldered gables and chamfered ashlar copes. Segmental-arched openings now contain glazing, and square openings at first floor are closed off at eaves level. A forestair is located at the rear of the south range. The building has predominantly timber, casement windows and a pitched slate roof, with a wallhead stack to the west gable of the two-storey range.

At another location (NO 69400 99041) are square-plan gatepiers linked by coped quadrant walls. The gatepiers have moulded pyramidal caps. A pair of circa 1840 square-plan granite pillars, with rusticated bases and bands, are situated at a final location (NO 69467 99411).