Gordonstoun House

Gordonstoun House is a mansion with a 16th-century core, largely rebuilt in 1616 by the 1st Marquis Huntly. The north elevation was significantly altered around 1730 with a symmetrical re-fenestration and other external changes. Further alterations occurred during the 19th century and after a fire in 1940. Extensive repairs were carried out in 1945 and to the balustrade in 1979.

The main building consists of a three-storey, eight-bay central block dating from around 1730, built upon an earlier core, flanked by two-storey and attic wings that also incorporate earlier fabric. The north facade is of polished ashlar, while the rest of the building is constructed of harl pointed rubble with ashlar dressings.

The north elevation has a low ground floor with small windows in the centre block. A band course runs between the ground and first floors, and prominent quoins are visible. The central entrance has a lugged architrave and a classical doorpiece dated 1730, featuring paired engaged Corinthian columns on plinths, supporting an entablature and a modillioned pediment. To the extreme right, a secondary entrance is sheltered by a reset coat of arms of Sir Robert Gordon (1580-1656).

The wings have 17th-century bartizans with conical roofs at each corner. A mid-17th-century coat of arms of Nova Scotia is set into the first floor of the west gable. Mid-19th-century gabletted dormers are also present.

The south elevation is similar to the north front, but the wings project to form a shallow U-plan. The central entrance has a moulded lugged architrave and a rectangular vent above. Masonry scars, blocked windows at ground floor level, and remains of vaulting indicate unfinished alterations. There are two small oval windows, one in each outer bay, situated between the first and second floors. Each wing features a single gabletted dormer and a scroll skewputt. Multi-pane glazing is used throughout. Moulded corniced stacks are present on the balustraded and flat-roofed main block. The wings have slate roofs with stone ridges.

The interior includes a barrel-vaulted passage that runs the full length of the ground floor. The main rooms of the central block were left unfinished after the 1730 alterations and were later refurbished in the earlier/mid 19th century and again after the 1940 fire. The entrance hall is panelled with panelling re-used from the former Drainie parish church (1821, Gillespie Graham, architect). A cantilevered stair with a wrought-iron balustrade leads from the ground to the first floor. Some corniced ceilings are found in the flanking wings, and a re-used ashlar doorpiece, featuring an owl in the pediment, is on the first floor.

High, coped flanking garden walls extend from the wings, with entrance closes decorated with re-used pediments. An overmantel dated 1679 is also incorporated into the left-hand wall. A mid-18th-century, small, freestanding water tower stands nearby, with a round-headed door on the west side. It is of rubble construction with ashlar dressings and a band course, topped by a pyramidal slate roof with a stone ball finial and weather vane. A projecting section of wall on the west side has been rebuilt.