Description

Substantial turretted mansion of various builds now forming

extended Z-plan. 1602 tower house incorporating earlier fabric

and on earlier site; substantial late 17th, early and mid 18th

and mid 19th (David Bryce, 1858-9) century additions and

alterations. Divided as 13 separate residential units,

architect Douglas Forrest, Cullen, 1982-4; S and SW wings

damaged by fire, June 1987 and in course of restoration (1988).

Two to 4 storeys in height; rubble, some harling, tooled

and ashlar dressings, margins and crowsteps to gables.

Roughly L-plan tower house at SE angle with long wing to W of

pre 1602 origin. Latter given new S elevation with large windows

by David Bryce; N facing elevation to courtyard retains 17th

century details and earlier fabric with some regularisation of

the windows. The original entrance to the tower to courtyard

in tight angle at S of N-S range; roll moulded door (now

blocked with window), elaborate doorpiece with stylised,

waisted pilasters and heraldic medallions; diminutive angle

turrets near wallhead. To N, 1602 3-storey range with substantial inserted doorpiece by Bryce modelled on the early design

but with large rampant lions flanking. To N again

rectangular-plan block of 1711-14 partly remodelled by Bryce.

To W of W wing further 1711-14 additions also partly

remodelled 1858.

The E facing range with nearly symmetrical main elevation.

Square tower at S of 1668 with some reworking; recessed bays

of 1602 origin; N tower of 1711-14 with ogee roofed angle

turrets and crenellations.

Windows in a variety of shapes mainly sash and case with small

panes excpet for Bryce's large inserted windows which are

plate glass. Numerous windows break wallhead with elaborate

dormerheads U-plan 2-storey service wings at N, including former kitchen, now divided as cottages and dwellings. 2 storeys,

harled, ashlar margined window and door openings.

Ridge, end and wallhead stacks of various dates; slate

roofs.

INTERIOR: divided vertically in separate dwellings retaining

various original staircases and public rooms. Mid 18th century wrought-iron balustrade to former main staircase. Panelled

entrance hall with Dutch tiled fireplace.

Mid 18th century kitchen with moulded ceiling cornice now

converted as dwelling and architect's office.

Statement of Interest

Mansion sited on rocky bluff overlooking Cullen Burn.

Home of the Ogilvy family, Earls of Findlater and Seafield;

from 1811 by marriage with Grants of Castle Grant, the

Ogilvy-Grant family. Tower house built 1600-2 on site

traditionally connected with single storey range of cells

housing clergy of collegiate church, now the Old Parish

Church. Various generations of wealthy Earls of Seafield

commissioned the best architects of their day to change

and add to the mansion, Smith and McGill, 1709, John and

James Adam, James Playfair. Some of these plans may have

been executed in part, but hidden under subsequent

alterations; the principal surviving additions and

alterations are those in Scottish Baronial style by David

Bryce, 1858-9. Mansion sold in 1981 by Earl of Seafield

to Kit Martin who subsequently divided it into 13 separate

dwellings (Douglas Forest, architect). S and SW portion

badly damaged by fire June 1987. This destroyed the 1600-2

painted ceiling in former library; restoration now in

progress (1988).

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Cullen House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17571538

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

• 
  Gwent/Monmouthshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Wales)
• 
  Renovating Old Houses: Bringing New Life to Vintage Homes (For Pros By Pros)
• 
  England's Post-War Listed Buildings
• 
  Surrey (The Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Department for Communities Listed Historic Buildings of Northern Ireland: Information Guide for the 2nd Survey of Historic Buildings