Building record MHG10841 - Dunrobin Castle

Summary

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Location

Grid reference Centred NC 8505 0082 (65m by 67m)
Map sheet NC80SE
Geographical Area SUTHERLAND
Old County SUTHERLAND
Civil Parish GOLSPIE

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Full Description

Dubrobin Castle (name verified) is a large and outstanding mansion still occupied and as described by previous authorities.
Externally it appears to be 18/19th century with little of the 17th century work visible, the tower house being entirely enclosed by later work. There is no evidence of any structure ante-dating the tower house. Visited by OS (E G C) 4 April 1962 and (J M) 19 January 1976.

(NC 8505 0082) Dunrobin Castle (NAT) OS 6" map, (1964)

Dunrobin Castle, principal seat of Sutherland family since C12th, consists of a keep at the NE angle built about 1401 and vaulted on each floor - an unusual feature.
In 17th century a large house on the plan of a central courtyard was erected to SW of keep and connected to it with a turnpike-stair tower. These wings were altered and added to in 1785 and in 1845-50 a huge mansion was built on NE side.
The whole was restored early 20th century and is in use as a school.
D MacGibbon and T Ross 1887-92; RCAHMS 1911, visited 1909; N Tranter 1962-70.

(NC 8505 0081) St John's Well (NR)
OS 6" map, Sutherland, 1st ed., (1873)

St John's Well is a very deep pump well in the courtyard of the ancient portion of the castle. No information regarding the origin of the name can be found.
Name Book 1873.

See NMRS Lorimer Collection for full range of plans.

OWNER: The Duke of Sutherland
ARCHITECT: Sir Charles Barry-North front of Dunrobin Castle with W Leslie of Aberdeen 1844-1848

Sir Robert Lorimer-large alterations after fire in 1915

"J.M."-improvements c. 1785 Probably John McLeran (See Tarbat House)

Built for Lord Strathnaver 1732. Brick addition when building converted to museum.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC REFERENCE: NMRS LIBRARY
Country Life, August 18th 1966 pp.395-6
Scottish Country Life, Vol VI, No 9, pp.367-70, Sept 1919

Golspie/Lairg Local Plan, July 1983: P48/101. Listed Buildings. POLICY - A five year programme of essential repairs is to be undertaken at Dunrobin Castle by the Sutherland Trust.
J Aitken : 11/06/01.

Sources/Archives (39)

  • --- Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph: J.S.Bone. Dunrobin NC85 01. Colour Print. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): AP - Dunrobin Castle.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): AP - Dunrobin Castle.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Dunrobin Castle.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Dunrobin Castle and gardens.. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): AP - Dunrobin Castle. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): AP - Dunrobin Castle. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): AP - Dunrobin Castle. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): AP - Dunrobin Castle. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): AP - Dunrobin Castle. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): AP - Dunrobin Castle. Colour Slide; Digital Image. .
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Adam, R J. [19--?]. Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland: the historic home of the Sutherland family: the Scottish residence of the Dukes of Sutherland.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Barry, A. 1867. The Life and Works of Sir Charles Barry, R.A., F.R.S..
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Beattie, W. 1838. Scotland illustrated in a series of views taken expressly for this work.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Burke, J B. 1854. A visitation of the seats and arms of the noblemen and gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Close-Brooks, J. 1986. Exploring Scotland's Heritage: The Highlands. 75-7, No. 30.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Dunrobin Castle. 1845-51. Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland: letters to George Taylor 1845 and William Leslie 1851 re additions to castle.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Dunrobin Castle. {n.d.}. Dunrobin Castle: list of plans at Dunrobin.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Forman, S. 1967. Scottish country houses and castles.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Hussey, C. 1931. The work of Sir Robert Lorimer.
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): Taylor, A. 2007-9. Photographs of various HER sites by Andrew Taylor (CD 1). Colour. Yes. Digital.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: MacGibbon, D and Ross, T. 1887-92. The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth centuries. Hardback. Vol. 4, 300-7; plan, illust..
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Morris, F O (ed). [1855-60. A series of picturesque views of seats of the noblemen and gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland with descriptive and historical letterpress. p 49.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Pennant, T. 1809. Pennant's Tour of Scotland. Held in Print Room.
  • --- Text/Report: RCAHMS. 1911. The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Scotland. Second report and inventory of monuments and constructions in the county of Sutherland. . 90-1, No. 269.
  • --- Text/Publication/Volume: Tranter, N. 1962-70. The fortified house in Scotland. 174-6; illust..
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s): B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph: B/W Negative. .
  • --- Image/Photograph(s)/Aerial Photograph: B/W Negative. .
  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Forman, S. 1958. 'Dunrobin Castle', Scot Fld Vol. 105 Dec 1958, p.48, 50-1. Scot Fld. 48, 50-1. 48, 50-1.
  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Eadie, D. 1968. 'Dunrobin School', Scot Fld Vol. 115 Nov 1968, p.28-31. Scot Fld. 28-31. 28-31.
  • --- Text/Publication/Article: Miller, D B. 1976. 'Historic castles and families of the north: 3: Dunrobin Castle: the earls and dukes of Sutherland', Caithness Fld Club Bulletin Vol. 1 April 1976, p.99-102. Caithness Fld Club Bulletin. 99-102. 99-1-2.

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Record last edited

Nov 4 2010 10:29AM

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