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Fasque House, built 1809-13, to replace a smaller house known as 'Faskie' to the northwest. The 19th century house is a very large symmetrical castellated mansion. Main block 3-storey with central 4-storey canted bay tower having a Doric portico at base with unusual octagonal blocking and abaci, and crenellated above blocking course. On either side 3-window ranges and octagonal corner turrets. Two-storey 3-window wings, also with octagonal angle turrets. At gables canted bays with one window either side. Rubble-built with droved dressings, crenellated throughout, simple severe treatment, original sashes. Elegant interior work, circular top lit hall with Corinthian columns set in segmentally-arched openings. A smaller 18th century house was demolished (which stood some 38m north of the present house), before the present house was built in 1809 by Sir Alexander Ramsay of Balmain and Fasque, who ruined himself building the house at a cost of £30,000. Purchased by John Gladstone (1764-1851), a Liverpool-based merchant of Scottish birth, for £80,000 in 1829. Gladstone and his family moved into the house in 1833. In 1845, Gladstone was created a baronet (the Baronetcy of Fasque and Balfour). Following his death in 1851, the estate passed to his oldest son, Sir Thomas Gladstone, making him 2nd Baronet of Fasque and Balfour. He also served as Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire from 1876. Sir John Gladstone's fourth son, William Ewart Gladstone (1809-1898), served as British Prime Minister four times, and visited the Fasque Estate on many occasions. Fasque House continued to be occupied until 1932, after which it was closed up until the 1970s when the house was passed to the 7th Baronet, Sir Esrkine William Gladstone. In 2003 the house was closed once more, and in 2007 it was sold. There is a large walled garden to south of house with central garden house. Much of the house remains unchanged from Victorian times with a Laundry, Wash-house, Boot Hall, Lamp room, Dairy and Bakery still to be seen. Adjacent to the east end of the servants wing are the remains of a large store building and enclosed wheel pit building, with the remains of an iron water wheel in situ. To the east is a chapel, originally a private chapel built by Sir John Gladstone for the use of Fasque House (NO67NE0083). Building recording of the house was carried out by AOC Archaeology in November 2016 ahead of proposed refurbishments.
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Historic Environment Records (HER)