Description

William Robertson, 1838-9, mansion with extensive additions
by A and W Reid, 1854-68. Further alterations by Dick Peddie
and Kinnear, 1885-6. Drawing room addition circa 1892
decorated by Sir Robert Lorimer, 1892-3 who also designed
other interior decorations (surviving only in library).
Austere N facing classical 2-storey mansion with single
storey and attic ranges extending to rear. Polished and tooled
ashlar throughout.
Original 5-bay house with shallow advanced outer bays; 2-tier
pedimented tetrastyle portico, lower tier projecting as porte
cochere supported by fluted Greek Doric columns with Empire
garland frieze (porte cochere circa 1855 but probably
designed by William Robertson).
2-storey, 3-bay drawing room wing extends at E continuous
with frontage.
Rectangular bay window (1854) lights library (former dining
room) at W; similar window lights drawing room at E (re-used
from former drawing room).
Some corniced and lugged architraves to aproned ground floor
windows.
Set back 2-bay wing survives at W with outer window framed by
paired pilasters and paired engaged columns supporting
entablature and corniced wallhead.
Extensive infilling of original rear court between 1856-1868;
E return elevation with dormers, windows and hooded canopied
entrance, 1886.
Multi-pane glazing; corniced wallhead; corniced stacks;
shallow piended and gabled slate roofs.
House flanked E and W by 1838-9 polished ashlar pedimented
basket-headed arches leading to former stable court. Paired
pilasters clasp N and S facets under paired Empire garlands;
anthemion and acroteria decorate pediment. Arches linked to
house by low coped tooled ashlar quadrant walls.
INTERIOR: entrance hall, formerly with doorways to drawing
room (left) and dining room (right), opens through columned
screen to stairhall rising 2 storeys; imperial staircase with
mid 19th century cast-and wrought-iron balusters linked to
fluted Ionic cast-iron newels. Coffered ceiling with gilded
detailing and gilded floreated and foliated bosses. Chequered
marble floor (1892-3).
LIBRARY (FORMER DINING ROOM): re-modelled as library by Sir
Robert Lorimer, 1892-3, including bookcases, some with glazed
fronts; also marble chimneypiece with decorative medallions;
coffered ceiling and decorative frieze. 1837 former drawing
room (now children's common room): carved red marble
chimneypiece.
HEADMASTER'S STUDY; 1892-3 chimneypiece with marble slips.
TERRACE: (1885): mansion fronted by balustrade and flights of
steps descending to lower lawn (now playing field).

Statement of Interest

Aberlour House, together with E lodge, columns and stables

built by Alexander Grant, who originated from Glenrinnes and

who made a fortune in W Indies. It is doubtful he ever lived

in the house, which he left to his niece, Miss Margaret

Gordon MacPherson, at his death in 1854. She added Grant to

her own name and made extensive additions to house and

policies, dying in 1877 aged 43.

House damaged by fire in 1875.

Property purchased in 1885 by Sir John Ritchie Findlay, owner

of THE SCOTSMAN newspaper, who made further alterations and

additions, including drawing room decorated by Sir Robert

Lorimer (decorations have not survived).

Aberlour House now a school.

Upgraded B to A 9.11.87.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Aberlour House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17572262

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

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  Bristol (Pevsner Architectural Guides: City Guides)
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