Description

Robert Adam, dated 1773. Tall centre 3-storey cube joined to
mirrored 2-storey outer wings by 3-bay linking blocks, the
mansion set on raised basement fully displayed as lower
ground floor at S garden front.
Pink tooled pinned granite centre block, harl pointed rubble
elsewhere, tooled and polished contrasting sandstone
dressings.
N FRONT: N entrance front with outer mirrored wings set at
right angles to form shallow U-plan court. Centre entrance
with shallow portico supported by 2 Corinthian columns
approached by shallow flight of steps oversailing raised
basement. 3 console corniced windows with balustraded aprons
in 1st floor, smaller upper windows.
Outer wings each with single ground floor tripartite; each
set-back 3-bay linking block with advanced and pedimented
centre bay, at right with doorway. Raised basement screened
by continuous spearhead railings with urn finials to
stiffeners.
S GARDEN FRONT: 5-window centre block with centre entrance to
basement and small flanking lights; blind window in centre of
upper storey with dated keystone.
Outer wings fronted E and W by centre 2-storey, single bay
projecting wing with piended roof, at W with entrance to
former chapel in lower ground floor.
Chapel has round-headed windows with intersecting astragals.
Decorative glazing to fanlights; 9- and 12-pane glazing;
coped end, wallhead and ridge stacks (single leaded dummy
ridge stack at E for symmetry). Centre cube with blocking
course and piended slate roof with centre ridge weathervane;
gabled slate roofs elsewhere.
INTERIOR: entrance hall from which rises full-height
cantilevered flight of stairs. Ground floor parlour and
dining room.
DINING ROOM: white marble chimneypiece; steel basket grate by
James Fraser, Banff; plaster ceiling and cornice; dado rail;
mahogany raised and fielded panelled doors and window
shutters; double doors to parlour.
1ST FLOOR DRAWING ROOM: room leads from spacious landing;
yellow and white marble chimneypiece; steel basket grate with
incised decoration, also by James Fraser, Banff (signed);
mahogany dado rail, raised and fielded panelled doors and
window shutters; decorative painted (green and white) plaster
ceiling; richly coloured hand painted wallpaper with birds
and flowers.
LIBRARY: modern shelving; re-used marble chimneypiece.
CHAPEL: groined plaster vaulted chancel flanked by engaged
pilasters. No fittings survive.
FOUNTAINS: shaped watergarden in front of S elevation; with 2
fountains of earlier-mid 19th century date. Both stand on
square plinths, their wide bowls with scalloped lips
supported by shaped baluster stems; the fountain furthest
from house has shaped central stem with diminishing basins.

Statement of Interest

Mansion built by 2 bachelor brothers (Gordon) who made their

money in Madeira in the wine trade. They sent home Spanish

mahogany which is in use in the principal public rooms.

Fine steel basket grates by James Fraser, Banff with unusual

features, the principal being the dummy decorated fronts

which pull away from the fire in order not to overheat and

soil.

The Gordons were a staunchy Roman Catholic family and built

their mansion at a time when public worship was proscribed

for Catholics. Above the chapel (no longer in use as such)

there was accommodation for a resident priest who also acted

as tutor to the children of later heirs.

Garden fountains appear on 1st ed. OS, circa 1870

S garden front basement may have been originally masked by

raised bank, lowered after re-design of garden and

installation of fountains.

External Links

• Historic Environment Scotland Listing
• Letterfourie House at Wikipedia
• Wikidata Q17569363

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

• 
  Old House Care and Repair
• 
  Oxfordshire: North and West (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Derbyshire (Pevsner Architectural Guides) (Pevsner Architectural Guides: Buildings of England)
• 
  Farrow & Ball How to Decorate: Transform your home with paint & paper
• 
  Drawing up a Local Listed Building Consent Order: Historic England Advice Note 6
• 
  Historic Environment Law: Planning, Listed Buildings, Monuments, Conservation Areas and Objects, Supplement 2014