Aberdeenshire HER - NJ41NE0116 - KILDRUMMY CASTLE

Main Details

Primary ReferenceNJ41NE0116
NameKILDRUMMY CASTLE
NMRS Card No.NJ41NE70
NMRS Numlink252950
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Complete 2
Details Remains of a 17th to 19th century designed landscape of Kildrummy New Castle (NJ41NE0092) which included the remains of Kildrummy Castle (NJ41NE0004). In 1739 John Erskine, 22nd Earl of Mar sold the Kildrummy estate to John Gordon of Wardhouse. The layout of the earliest designed landscape associated with the castle ruins were created by the Gordon family who also built Kildrummy Lodge circa 1835. The OS 1st edition map shows the Lodge, with walled garden to the southwest and other buildings to the northeast. At the road entrance to the east is Castle Cottage (NJ41NE0180). In 1898 the estate was bought by Colonel James Ogston who built a new house, Kildrummy New Castle (NJ41NE0092), and further developed the designed landscape, creating the gardens in the Back Den valley. Two large terraces surround the mansion house on its south and west sides, established following construction of the New Castle. The viaduct over the Back Den (Back Den bridge NJ41NE0131) was built in 1900, designed by A Marshall Mackenzie. The Lodge was relocated on construction of the New Castle (now named Ardhuncart Lodge (NJ41NE0168)). The 2nd edition OS map shows a quarry northeast of the house, at the site of earlier buildings. The Gate Lodge (NJ41NE0179) was built circa 1900 following the construction of a new drive. In 1904 the burn of the Back Den was dammed and several large pools connected by a series of cascades were created. Rock work was constructed by a Japanese firm of landscape architects and the firm of Messrs Backhouse of York under the direction of Mr David Peary transformed the old quarry and built steps and planted choice shrubs, trees and climbers. Stones within the garden include benches with sculpted lion supports from Water Priory, Yorkshire, thought to be of 18thy century date.
Last Update11/02/2025

National Grid Reference: NJ 4548 1646


Easting: 374100, Northing: 839600

Compiler 
Date of Compilation 

Event Details


Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact


Ecofact

Samples 
Palynology 
Ecofact Notes 

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
LANDSCAPES DESIGNEDA100
VIADUCTS  G100
LODGES  F100
QUARRIES SITE OFB100
GARDENS  C100
BRIDGES  D100
POOLS  E100
TERRACESGARDEN H100

Google Map for NJ41NE0116


National Status

Regional Status


Photo Details

SourceReferencePhoto TypeFilm TypeDate
AASAAS/07/1/CT43-47 Air-oblique Colour Transparency 04/09/2007

Bibliographic Detail


Location

Historic Administrative Area Name Kildrummy
Positional Accuracy Centred at
Buffer Zone 1-5m
Buffer Type Bespoke
Capture Scale 1:2501 - 1:10,000
Spatial Feature Type Polygon: Known Site Extent

Environment

Constraints Privately owned, regularly visited by public, easy access.
Altitude250
Geology 
Topography Moderate Slope
Aspect 1 
Aspect 2 Open
Current Land Use
Vegetation
Soil Type 
Hydrology 

Measurements

Plan 
Shape 1
Shape 2
Diameter 
Length 
Width 
Thickness 
Depth 
Area 
Height 

Historic Land Use


Period Details

PeriodOrderProbabilityRadiocarbon DatesDate BuiltDate of DestructionDate of Loss
Post-Medieval (from 1560 AD) A100    
18th Century C100    
19th Century D100    
20th Century E100    
Modern (1900 - 2050) F100    

Period Notes

Period Notes Back Den viaduct built 1900. Gate Lodge built circa 1900.

Architect Details

Architect Details Back Den Bridge designed by A Marshall Mackenzie Rock work carried out in 1904 was constructed by a Japanese firm of landscape architects and the firm of Messrs Backhouse of York under the direction of Mr David Peary.

Maritime Archaeology

empty