Tullich Lodge Hotel

Tullich Lodge Hotel is a well-detailed Scots Baronial hunting lodge designed by A Marshall Mackenzie in 1897, sited on raised ground overlooking the Pass of Ballater. The building is constructed of granite ashlar, squared and coursed rubble with polished dressings, and comprises 2- and 3-storey sections with attic, arranged in Z-plan. It was built for William Reid, an Aberdeen advocate.

The entrance elevation faces north, featuring a projecting gable with a lower wing to the left. The door is set in a bay to the right of a recessed face, with an angle turret at the outer right. A broad round-arched doorcase with deeply recessed door is a prominent feature, along with timber transoms and mullions. The building incorporates corbels to turrets and oriel windows, crenellated details, bowed bays, and crowstepped gables typical of the Baronial style. String courses and ashlar-coped gables with moulded skewputts finish the exterior, while cast iron downpipes with decorative rainwater hoppers are fitted throughout.

A 4-stage tower was added around 1910, featuring mock machicolation, canted angles corbelled to square at the fourth stage, and a canted oriel to the west. A shallow square-plan oriel rises through the second and third stages at the south. The south elevation includes a tall window set in a round-headed, keystoned recess. A broad 2-storey bowed bay is positioned to the left of centre on the east elevation. The roofing consists of grey slates with axial and wallhead stacks, some with projecting chimney breasts.

Windows are predominantly multi-pane glazing, with some featuring 2-pane and plate glass in timber casement and sash and case frames. A segmental-arched window and arrowslits are also present.

The interior retains an extensive and notable decorative scheme. Timber panelling is particularly extensive, with mahogany panelling of quality in the dining room. Decorative plasterwork is present throughout, and several fine chimneypieces and doorcases are retained. Some doors contain painted glass panels.

The building was extended northwards and further altered and modified in 1923, both extensions and alterations designed by A Vincent Harris. Harris also extended the main block northwards to link with the single-storey wing and was responsible for much of the existing glazing scheme. A plan by Harris for unexecuted further additions was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1922. The 1923 works were carried out for a Mr Rose.

The lodge was originally built as a hunting and shooting lodge, reflecting the popularity of country sports in the area during the late 19th century. It was converted to a hotel in 1966 but has since returned to private residential use.

A notable feature of the setting is an armillary sundial surmounting a freestanding ornamental stone urn, which serves as a memorial to a child of the first owner, William Reid.

Tullich Lodge is often described as the finest built house on Deeside. Its tower forms a major landmark in the surrounding landscape, and the building dominates the area. The assured Scots Baronial detailing—including crow-stepped gables, bartizan work, and crenellations—is clearly expressed. Both exterior and interior have retained much of their historic character, with the interior preserving particularly fine features such as timber panelling and plasterwork.