Description

1828 classical reconstruction of 1764 house; again reconstructed and enlarged by G Bennet Mitchell of Aberdeen, 1935 (dated 1764) as near reproduction of Bellabeg House with centre nepus gable and cherry caulking. 2-storey with attic and later 3-storey, 5-bay laird's house overlooking formal garden to S. Red granite ashlar front with cherry caulking; coursed squared rubble and squared rubble long and short quoins, ashlar margins. Voussoired round headed nepus window.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION: symmetrical principal elevation to E with 2-leaf timber door and 3-part fanlight below dated coat of arms at centre, windows in flanking bays, regular fenestration to 1st floor and finialled nepus gable projecting above eaves at centre. Large 3-storey canted bay to right at N, and outer gabled bays flanking flat-roofed infill at W.

12-, 16- and 18-pane glazing patterns in timber sash and case windows. Graded grey slates. Coped ashlar stacks with cans; ashlar-coped skews with block skewputts. Cast iron downpipes with decorative rainwater hoppers dated 1935.

INTERIOR: good decorative scheme in place including panelled and architraved doors, parquet flooring, deep skirting boards, timber fire surrounds, some with cast iron grates; some timberwork imported. Timber dog-leg staircase with decorative ironwork balusters. Study with timber panelling, timber fire surround with carved frieze, dentilled cornice and overmantel with mirror surmounted by broken pediment installed 1938. Dining Room with marble fireplace and pedimented doorpieces. Flower room, former butler's pantry, with timber sink.

Statement of Interest

Category upgraded from C(S) to B on 28 October, 2003. Group with Dovecot Cottage, Ice House, Gates, Stables and Walled Garden. An interesting reproduction of Bellabeg which is one of the finest houses in Strathdon. Inverernan has some very early fabric as well as some fine imported interior timberwork. Purchased in the 1980s by the present (2006) owners who have renovated the nearby stable block, and report that the house was very dry although having been empty for some years. This is attributed to the excellent quality of work carried out after Inverernan was taken over by the Wallace family in 1934. At that time it was to be used as the dower house for Candacraig, and improvements included importing panelling and decorative timberwork from London in 1938, as well as re-lining lath & plaster walls using treated 2 x 4 timbers. Mr Wallace of Whitehouse in Forbestown was born at Inverernan House in 1934 while his father was out shooting. Prior to the Wallace family ownership, Inverernan had belonged to the Forbes family. A photograph from circa 1925 shows the house in its classical guise, with 4-column Roman Doric porch and deep blocking course with raised centre urn on decorative consoles. There are also dormer windows in a shallow pitched roof, and grouped gablehead stacks. The New Statistical Account describes Inverernan 'As altered and enlarged some years ago' in the 'style of a modern villa, partaking of the Italian'. The first Forbes of Inverernan was Black Jock, Bailie to the Earl of Mar in 1715. It is reported that the current dining room was the place where, urged by Mar to take part in the rising, documents were signed raising the neighbourhood to arms. Black Jock was taken prisoner and died in Carlisle the night before the day fixed for his execution. Forbes family records date a building to this site in 1680.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Wikidata Q17779989

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

• 
  Herefordshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Maintaining and Repairing Old Houses: A Guide to Conservation, Sustainability and Economy
• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
• 
  Warwickshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Northamptonshire: Buildings of England Series (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)