Hutton Castle

Hutton Castle

Probably dating from the 16th century in origin, this castellated mansion has been substantially added to and altered by Sir Robert Lorimer in 1916 and Reginald Fairlie in 1926. The building forms an asymmetrical composition around an open courtyard, comprising a restored 3-storey rectangular-plan keep to the south-east with an engaged 6-stage circular-plan stair tower recessed to its left (later heightened); a 2-storey mansion house with basement and 6 bays adjoined to the left, with a later storey above; an engaged 3-storey square-plan stair tower in a re-entrant angle to the left; an asymmetrical 3-storey block with attic projection to the outer left; and a lower 3-storey 2-bay block recessed to the outer right.

The predominant material is pink sandstone rubble with rubble dressings, while the later additions feature squared and snecked tooled pink sandstone with sandstone ashlar dressings. The principal range has a string course and former cornice, predominantly modillioned eaves, crenellated parapets, and crowstepped gables. The later additions have moulded eaves. Window openings feature chamfered surrounds, some architraved, with sandstone and timber mullions and transoms. A single-storey 3-bay ancillary structure, possibly a former electricity house, stands to the south-east.

South-west (Entrance) Elevation: The composition is asymmetrical throughout, with a projecting 3-storey keep to the right of centre and an engaged stair tower recessed to the left. The adjoining mansion house, recessed further left, has squat basement windows with rubble relieving arches, irregularly-spaced ground-floor windows, and a chamfered oriel window to the outer left. A later attic storey above displays a coat-of-arms. A corbelled turret projects from the outer left. A 3-storey stair tower projects further left, also bearing a coat-of-arms to its right. A full-height projection to the outer left features an architraved panelled door, a tripartite window at first-floor level, a crenellated parapet with corbelled bartizan to the right, and a crowstepped gablehead. A lower 3-storey block adjoins the keep to the right, recessed, with a roll-moulded surround to a boarded timber door. A single-storey flat-roofed addition projects further right.

North-west (Side) Elevation: A symmetrical block stepped out at ground level displays 5 bipartite windows, with a large bipartite window centred at first-floor level and a corbelled shallow canted window above. Flanking double-height panels incorporate large bipartite windows at ground and further bipartite windows above.

North-east (Rear) Elevation: The fenestration is irregular throughout. A 4-storey principal projection stands at centre with a lower 2-bay wing recessed to the right. A flush full-height range adjoins this to the right, with a 2-storey 3-bay range with attic recessed to the left of the principal projection. A gabled projection with crowstepped gablehead projects to the left, with a full-height bay recessed to its left. A flush lower range adjoins further left. A single-storey flat-roofed addition extends to the outer left.

South-east (Side) Elevation: A projecting crowstepped gable end to the right has a single-storey flat-roofed addition at ground level, while a plain parapet stands to the left. The keep is recessed to the left, with a taller range recessed further, featuring an engaged stair tower to the right. A full-height bay recessed to the left has a blocked door and window at ground level, above which a relieving arch projects at upper-floor level. A full-height wing recesses further left, with a corbelled bartizan projecting from the outer left.

Predominantly timber-framed leaded glazing, some diamond-paned, is employed throughout, with some timber sash and case windows. The roof is covered in grey slate, partly flat, with crowstepped skews and corbelled skewputts. Coped sandstone ridges, apex and wallhead stacks, and various circular cans complete the external finishes.

Interior: The interior was not inspected in 1999. Existing records indicate decorative floor tiling to the vestibule. The south tower contains a turnpike stair with a fireplace at ground level. The north block features a wide turnpike stair from the east (north tower), large rooms at ground and first-floor levels with fireplace remains, plain walls, boarded timber floors, and flat ceilings. The east block has remains of a fireplace, chamfered window openings, and a flat ceiling. Vaulting and panelling were removed by Burrell.

Ancillary Structure: A single-storey rectangular-plan block with 3 bays and a lean-to addition comprises the ancillary structure. Built in rubble with pink sandstone ashlar dressings and a boarded timber lean-to addition, it features rusticated quoins, blocked margins, and flush cills. The south-west (entrance) elevation has a 2-leaf boarded timber door at centre with single windows in the flanking bays, and a boarded timber door in the lean-to addition recessed to the outer right. Timber sash and case windows are employed. The roof is grey slate with a piended form, finished with coped sandstone wallhead stacks. The interior was not inspected in 1999.