Description

Much extended and altered house, with complex building history; 16th century Z-plan tower as core, with additions made throughout the 18th and 19th centuries in various styles. 3-storey, with vaulted basement, and attic. Currently H-plan with symmetrical advanced gables to N front, classical centre front regrettably demolished in late 1970s. Main entrance currently to NW. Harled with ashlar dressings.

TOWER HOUSE: rectangular block orientated E-W with square towers to NW and SE corners forming Z-plan.

CENTRE BLOCK: openings altered by later additions, some arrow slits at ground.

SE TOWER: relatively unchanged; former main entrance in SE re-entrant angle; roll-moulded, round-arched doorway, 3 small windows to stair in angle to right. 2 windows to each floor to gable, small window to attic.

NE TOWER: extended to S, openings enlarged. 1717 ADDITIONS: (for Sir James Gordon); dated monogrammed plaque to E elevation. SE tower extended northwards to balance projecting NW tower; and openings of N

gable enlarged with 4 tall outer windows, 3 smaller windows to inner bays of each gable to match extension, creating near-symmetrical N front.

1723 ADDITIONS: 3-storey bow added to E elevation, with new entrance at ground floor; roll-moulded surround to door with date and names of Sir James Gordon and wife inscribed on lintel. 3 large windows to each floor above.

LATE 18TH CENTURY: classical additions to N and S elevations; 3-storey bow added to centre block of S front; harled at ground floor, ashlar fronted above with 3 tall windows to each floor, slated conical roof.

1829 ADDITIONS: (for Col Thomas Gordon) to W elevation, extending NW tower to S. 4-storey, 2-bay square tower in Gothick style. Base course at ground to 1st floor level, blind, round-arched windows to W and to N at ground floor. 2 windows, diminishing in height at each floor to S, with exterior pelmets to 1st floor. Corbelled and crenellated parapet, corbelled angle turrets with blind, cruciform arrow slits.

1876-8 ADDITIONS: Angle between NW and 1829 towers filled with stair tower, raised in 1918. Door to this tower currently serving as main entrance, with T-plan stair (constructed from 18th century front horseshoe stair) to door at 1st floor; coped ashlar balustrade and panelled polygonal ashlar dies; window above.

INTERIOR: much altered. Vaulted basement with cellars. Some original fireplaces. Little plasterwork remains. Sash and case windows, predominantly 12-pane glazing pattern. Grey slates, ashlar coped skews and stacks.

Statement of Interest

The mansion of Park was sold to the Gordon family in 1605, as a result of the bankruptcy of the 8th Lord Saltoun. For notes on the history of the barony, see RMS Vol 5, p13-14 No 1633, and notes compiled by the owner. The Gordons of Park married into the Duke of Fife's family, the Duffs, in the mid 18th century.

The N front had an 18th century advanced, 3-storey pedimented gable with the main entrance all 1st floor. This was demolished in the late 1970s. There was also a single storey pavilion of circa 1877 adjoining the E elevation, and a battlemented pavilion of the same date adjoining the W of the N front; also now demolished.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Park House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17571723

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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  Cork: City and County (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of Ireland)
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  Cambridgeshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  Setting up a Listed Building Heritage Partnership Agreement: Historic England Advice Note 5
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  Sussex: East with Brighton and Hove (Buildings of England) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
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  The Victorian House Manual (2nd Edition): How They Were Built, Improvements & Refurbishment, Solutions to All Common Defects - Includes Relevant ... ... Properties (Haynes Manual) (Haynes Manuals)
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  Churches: An Architectural Guide (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Introductions)