Aberdeenshire HER - NO67NW0016 - FASQUE HOUSE

Main Details

Primary ReferenceNO67NW0016
NameFASQUE HOUSE
NMRS Card No.NO67NW5
NMRS Numlink36103
Site Form Standing Structure
Site Condition Complete 2
Details 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. North of 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 overshot iron water wheel in situ, this then overgrown building rediscovered in 2010 during initial assessment of the property by AOC Archaeology, and subject to building recording. The wheel provided the power source for the laundry at the house. 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.
Last Update24/02/2025

National Grid Reference: NO 6486 7554


Easting: 361150, Northing: 865650

Compiler 
Date of Compilation 

Event Details

Event DateEvent Type
1905 Building Recording
1905 Building Recording

Excavations and Surveys


Artefact and Ecofact


Ecofact

Samples 
Palynology 
Ecofact Notes 

Monument Types

Monument Type 1Monument Type 2Monument Type 3OrderProbability
HOUSES SITE OFA100
MANSIONS CASTELLATEDB100
TOWERS  C100
PORTICOS DORICD100
TURRETSOCTAGONAL E100
COLUMNS CORINTHIANF100
GARDENSWALLED G100
HOUSESGARDEN H100
LAUNDRIES  I100
BAKERIES  J100
OVENS  K100
STABLES  L100
COACH-HOUSES  M100
WHEELSWATERREMAINS OFN100

Google Map for NO67NW0016


National Status

National Status
Listed Building, Category A

Regional Status

Regional Status
Site of Regional Significance

Photo Details

SourceReferencePhoto TypeFilm TypeDate
AASAAS/94/08/G18/12-5 Air-oblique Black & White 25/05/1994
GRADB 31-32 Ground Black & White 12/09/1984
GRAFY 17-22 Ground Black & White 23/05/1986
AASAAS/97/03/G4/28-29 Air-oblique Black & White 30/01/1997
AASAAS/97/03/CT5, 7 Air-oblique Colour Transparency 30/01/1997
AASAAS/05/03/CT55-7 Air-oblique Colour Transparency 23/06/2005

Bibliographic Detail

Bib Ref NoTitleAuthorDateOthersEditorPublishedDetailsDate MDate Y
05685FASQUE ESTATE ABERDEENSHIRE: ARCHAEOLOGICAL DESK BASED ASSESSMENT AND STANDING BUILDING APPRAISAL 2010     2010
02265BUILDINGS OF ARCHITECTURAL & HISTORICAL INTEREST     FETTERCAIRN 12,13  
00256HISTORY OF FETTERCAIRNAC CAMERON1899  PAISLEY142-3  
01768PRESS & JOURNAL 1  ABERDEEN17/08/XX8 
01621MILL, FASQUE ESTATE, ABERDEENSHIRE, SCOTLAND: TECHNICAL REPORT 2012  NWAG 118:6000Technical Rep 2012
16174FASQUE HOUSE AND FASQUE HOUSE ESTATE BUILDINGS: HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING REPORT 2016  AOC 22736SBS 2016
19844FASQUE ESTATE, ABERDEENSHIRE: HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING (ESTATE BUILDINGS) WRITTEN SCHEME OF INVESTIGATION 2016  AOC 22736WSI 2016
12775FASQUE HOUSE, FETTERCAIRN, ABERDEENSHIRE, WATER WHEEL DRIVEN LAUNDRY - HISTORIC BUILDING RECORDING 2012  HA-07.01.01 rev 1Building recording 2012

Location

Historic Administrative Area Name Fettercairn
Positional Accuracy Centred at
Buffer Zone 15-20m
Buffer Type Bespoke
Capture Scale Unknown
Spatial Feature Type Polygon: Known Site Extent

Environment

Constraints Privately owned, access by arrangement - easy access.
Altitude115
Geology 
Topography Gentle slope
Aspect 1SE
Aspect 2 Open
Current Land Use Residential
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    
19th Century C100 1904  
18th Century B100    

Period Notes

Period Notes Landscaping and tree planting began 1730s. Built 1809; sold to Gladstones 1829; fire damaged 1872. Mid-19thC pavilion. Listed 18/08/1972.

Architect Details

Architect Details

Maritime Archaeology

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