Balbithan House

Balbithan House (/bælˈbɪθən/ bal-BITH-ən) is a three storey L-plan keep dating from the 16th century.[1][2] Alternative names are Old Place of Balbithan, Old Balbthan and Balbythan House.[1] It is located in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) south-east of Inverurie.

History

The grounds once belonged to the Abbey of Lindores,[2] but by 1490 the Chalmers family had acquired them.[2] An earlier House of Balbithan, of which there is now no trace, also stood above the River Don, opposite Kintore.[2]

The Chalmers built the new house, probably as an oblong with one round tower, in about 1560.[2] A second wing, added in about 1600, entailed the removal of the tower, which had been to the north-west.[2]

Jacobites are supposed to have used the tower in 1746, after Culloden.[2] The Chalmers sold the property to James Balfour, an Edinburgh merchant, in 1696.[2] After a brief period – from 1699 to 1707 – in the ownership of the Hays, it came to be owned by a branch of the Gordons until 1859.[2]

In the century to 1860 internal alterations were made. The top floor was removed early in the 19th century, and the second-floor ceilings were raised.[2]

It was bought in 1960 by the botanical artist Mary McMurtrie,[3] who restored it.[2]

Structure

Balbithan House is an L-plan tower, unusual in that the new wing, dating from 1630, and the original are of equal length.[2] There is an unvaulted kitchen on the ground floor, with the long hall, a long gallery or withdrawing room, and bedrooms successively above. A small addition on the north side, which housed a service stair, has been removed.[2] Attached to the south turret of the west wing is a metal sundial; it is dated 1679 and carries the initials of James Chalmers.[2] It is a category A listed building.[4]

The gardens, recreated by McMurtrie, are regarded as important,[1] and very fine.[2]

References
  1. "Balbithan House". Canmore. Retrieved 3 June 2018.
  2. Lindsay, Maurice (1986) The Castles of Scotland. Constable. ISBN 0-09-473430-5 p.61
  3. "Balbithan House". Parks & Gardens UK. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
  4. Historic Environment Scotland. "BALBITHAN HOUSE  (Category A Listed Building) (LB9140)". Retrieved 5 March 2019.

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