Hill Of Tarvit

The Garden at Hill of Tarvit is a significant property that underwent substantial remodelling by Sir Robert Lorimer between 1905 and 1907. The original house, dating from 1696 and possibly designed by Sir William Bruce, has been enhanced with a classically styled range added to the side and front elevations. Lorimer incorporated the Victorian rear wings for service areas, and the entire structure is finished with harled walls and ashlar channeled dressings.

The entrance elevation on the west side features two storeys, with a single-storey smoking room wing projecting to the north and a canted bay for the drawing room at the south. An arcaded loggia serves as the porch. The garden front consists of five bays, with projecting wings that curve towards the south. It has long sash windows on the ground floor, along with a sundial and a shell niche with a figure above the central window. The windows are multi-pane sashes, and the roofs are hipped and covered with slate.

Inside, the hall features a chimney piece dated 1906, with a panelled design and a coffered ceiling styled in a Baronial manner. The drawing room showcases French 18th-century details in its plaster decoration and woodwork. The dining room includes late 17th-century ceiling and pilaster details, while another room incorporates a chimney piece dated 1627. The stair hall boasts stairs with bold twisted balusters and melon caps on the newels. The detailing in the first-floor rooms is simpler.

The terraced garden includes wide balustraded steps leading to the lowest level. To the north, there is a walled garden with gatepiers topped by swagged urns, crafted by Sir Robert Lorimer, and wrought iron gates by Thomas Hadden in the north wall.