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Summary

Description

Probably 1670, much extended; NE wing dated 1850, possibly by George Penrose Kennedy (see Notes); remodelled by George Turnbull Ewing, circa 1880; renovated after 1991 fire. Early crowstepped, 3-storey and basement, irregular T-plan Tower House and tall 2-storey Victorian wing, now estate office for Drummond Castle with similarly-detailed single-storey with attic and 2-storey SW wing as dwelling and office. Dominant stair tower, priest's hole and unusual 3-part stair window. Snecked boulder and squared rubble and some dry-dash. Stone mullions, chamfered ashlar margins and moulded pedimented windowheads breaking eaves, some ball-finialled and with relief carving.

FURTHER DESCRIPTION: entrance elevation to SW incorporating 3'storey block with projecting gabled stair tower to approximate centre, 2 set-back bays at left behind single storey flat-roofed porch with re-used monogrammed lintel dated 1670, and further bay to right. Projecting gabled bay at outer right with gablehead pediment finial dated '1850' with initials 'DPK'. Later single storey and attic piend-roofed bay projecting from 2-storey L-plan wing with corbelled rounded angle at outer left angle. NE elevation with irregularly-fenestrated early bays set-back at right incorporating vertical 3-part window (lighting later stair but apparently of early date) giving way to single window with carved pediment bearing '1670' date and initials 'ID' flanking crest.

Plate glass glazing pattern in timber sash and case windows. Grey slates. Coped ashlar stacks, some with cans. Ashlar coped crowstepped (some lead clad) with beak skewputts

INTERIOR: some interesting detail retained including plain cornices, 6-panelled timber doors, stone and marble fireplaces. Porch with decoratively-tiled floor and part-glazed screen door with flanking lights. Evidence of turnpike stair in stair tower with vaulted rounded chamber at 1st floor, and adjacent small vaulted chamber (possibly priest's hole); later dog-leg staircase with barley twist balusters, those above ground floor of earlier date with fine decorative detail. Victorian wing with fine timber soffits and panelled shutters, marble fire surround with horseshoe grate and flanking roundheaded niches (1 now with window).

Statement of Special Interest

B Group with Walled Garden and Thornhill House with East Gate and ancillary buildings.

Pitkellony is sited on raised ground overlooking the village of Muthill just a few miles south of Drummond Castle. The earliest fabric probably dates to the 17th century as evidenced by two datestones and stylistic detail. Repairs after a serious fire in 1991, which resulted in the destruction of possibly a Victorian extension, led to the discovery of what is thought to be a priest's hole adjacent to the original spiral stair. Although extended and altered the house retains much character and evidence of its early origins. The crowstepped gables and pedimented windowheads are characteristic of fine architecture of the 17th century.

The Drummonds of Pitkellony probably descend from Duncan Drummond, younger son of Malcolm Drummond, fourth son of Sir John Drummond of Concraig. The lands of Pitkellony were purchased from Sir William Bruce of Airth during the 15th century, and passed to John Drummond circa 1560. Pitkellony is sited on raised ground overlooking the village of Muthill just a few miles south of Drummond Castle. The house probably dates from the 17th century but the lands of Pitkellony were purchased from Sir William Bruce of Airth during the 15th century. An early castle was sited in a field to the south of the current house. John Drummond (the 9th of Pitkellony) married Catherine, daughter of Sir John Colquhon of Luss, in 1659. He was a Lieutenant in the Earl of Atholl's Regiment of Foot, and in 1668 was appointed Steward Depute of Strathearn and Commissioner of Justice in the Highlands. Presumably this post would have been well rewarded financially and may have provided the impetus for erecting the new house at Pitkellony. Lewis Kennedy (1721-82), the famous landscape gardener who set up Vineyard Nurseries in Hammersmith circa 1745, was the great grandfather of Lewis

Kennedy who had, by 1822, set up a base at Pitkellony House and, either then or soon after, became factor to the Drummond Estate, with the house now partly converted to an estate office. With his wife, Harriet Sewell Mitton, Kennedy raised six children at Pitkellony, John Eugene (born 1819) succeeded his father as factor, and George Penrose (born 1821) became an architect. It is possible that George was responsible for the 1860 wing which bears the initials DPK, D (Drummond) and PK (Penrose Kennedy). The name of Lewis Kennedy is connected with the grotto situated in parkland immediately to the south east of the main entrance. The Kennedy family remained at Pitkellony until 1877 when John was dismissed. Their successor, George Turnbull Ewing began remodelling Drummond Castle in 1878 his son, Charles Turnbull Ewing, was educated at Morrison's Academy in nearby Crie ff. Charles also became an architect and joined his father's practice. The house remains as the Drummond Castle Estate Office to the and present day (2007).

References

Bibliography

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