scotland

Georgian Group Architectural Awards: Cairness House

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aberdeenshire-cairnesshouse
Cairness House, Aberdeenshire

The 7th Annual Georgian Group Architectural Awards have again highlighted that there are still those who will take on a neglected house and breathe new life into it.  Of particular interest is the winner of the ‘Restoration of a Georgian Country House‘ category, Cairness House in Aberdeenshire.

This interesting and elegant house was originally built in the 1790s as the centrepiece of a 9000-acre estate by the architect James Playfair for Charles Gordon.  The house remained with the family until 1938 after which it unfortunately experience a prolonged period of decline over the next 70 years including use as a farmhouse and even bedsits, and was riddled with dry rot.  Julio Soriano-Ruiz and Khalil Hafiz Khairallah are to be loudly applauded for showing that these houses can be restored and that the excuses of the developers, whose claims of dry rot has resulted in the demolition of other houses up and down the country, should never be accepted at face value.

Full story: ‘Georgian Group Architectural Awards‘ [Country Life]

Ouch – Melville House sold for £1.6m; down from £4.5m

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Melville House, Fife
Melville House, Fife

In a cautionary tale of how ambitious restorations can come unstuck, Melville House has been sold for a ‘knock-down’ £1.6m by agents Knight Frank.  The 17th-century Palladian mansion boasted 11 bedrooms, seven receptions plus stables, a tennis court and even a cricket pitch.  It was built in 1697 for George, the 1st Earl of Melville, then secretary of state for Scotland by James Smith.  The 1st Earl died a few years after his creation was finished but the house remained in the Melville family until it was sold – along with the contents – in 1949.

It had been requisitioned by the Army as a barracks during the war (the probable damage from which led to the sale) and then became a hospital and subsequently a residential school before being sold to a developer for £400,000.  It was then sold on again in 2003 for £1m and the new owner then spent over £2m on restoration.  The latest owner has secured a bargain – here’s hoping it’s now in safe hands.

Full story: ‘Repossessed mansion sold for ‘knockdown’ price‘ [stv]

Could Viewhill House rise from the ashes?

Matthew Beckett - The Country Seat1 Comment

Viewhill House, near Inverness, suffered a devasting fire two years ago which left it a ruined shell.  Since then it has been the subject of debate as to whether it can be saved or demolished and replaced a new development.  Unsurprisingly, a report by the developer has concluded that it should be demolished (what a surprise!) and has unfortunately been backed up by the local conservation officer.  What is interesting is that neither party has actually examined the building fully, claiming it’s too dangerous.  So on the basis of a fairly shallow investigation another part of Scotland’s heritage is imperilled.

The 170-year old  former home of Caledonian Canal engineer Joseph Mitchell, which was Category-B listed, had been empty for some time before the mysterious fire ripped through the house in 2007.  The developer had previously expressed his frustration that he wasn’t allowed to do as he wanted and level the site following the fire but luckily the council had taken a stronger line, demanding stabilisation works.

However, a recent assessment by independent historic buildings expert Scott Handley has concluded that the house can be saved. Mr Handley and the Inverness Civic Trust hope to present their report to the council in the hope of persuading them to preserve this interesting part of Inverness’ heritage before it becomes just yet another half-empty development of city flats.

Full story: ‘Mansion can be saved, says expert‘ [The Inverness Courier]

Floors Castle saved from fire

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An alert member of staff (who should get a especially generous Christmas bonus this year) saved Floors Castle near Kelso from a potentially devastating fire.  The largest private house in Scotland was designed by William Adam in the 17th century and then ‘gothicised’ in the 19th century with the addition of many pinnacles.

Smoke from the fire in the private living area of the Duke of Roxburghe, who wasn’t in residence at the time, was spotted and the fire brigade called.  They made their way through the thick smoke and extinguished the blaze which had started in a freezer and had spread to the lath and plaster wall.  Luckily damage was limited to one room with minor smoke damage to a few surrounding ones.

Fire has been a constant danger to country houses with many over the years being reduced to a smoking ruin within hours.  Fire is the most devasting way to lose a house as usually the historic and beautiful contents are destroyed as well.  Thankfully in this case disaster was averted but it again shows the value of having staff in residence who are able to take swift action.

Full story: ‘Castle saved by ‘quick actions” [BBC News]

Scottish National Trust saga continues

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The sad decline of the National Trust for Scotland continues with the news that they are to vacate their offices in the historic centre of Edinburgh for an anonymous office block.

The financial mis-management that has beset the Trust has led to the closure of some of it’s houses and drastic cuts within the rest of it’s operations so this may be seen as a logical step.  However, as the project to convert the buildings for their HQ was funded by the National Lottery, as much as 70% of the hoped-for selling price of £10m will have to be paid back.

Full story: ‘National Trust loses its own stately home – and faces bill for millions‘ [Scotsman]

National Trust loses its own stately home – and faces bill for millions