Documents

There are no additional online documents for this record.

Summary

Description

Dated variously 1546 to 1850. Castellated mansion of varying

builds and heights with 1546 Z-plan tower house as core. All

harled with tooled and polished ashlar and granite dressings

and margins.

Original entrance to castle from N flanked by 2 18th century

wings (1718 and later); re-cast to S in 1850 by Thomas

Mackenzie of Elgin. Imposing doorpiece in base of S tower

decorated with strapwork, text, armorial and monogram, dated

1546 and 1850. Further additions and re-modelling in 1850

including E wing and service court with arched E entrance.

Corbelled square cap houses to original tower house, slender

stair turrets within re-entrant angles; 19th century gabled

dormers with decorative detailing and monograms; bartizans

with slated conical roofs and apex finials. Mainly 12-pane

glazing; coped wallhead and ridge stacks; Banffshire slate

roofs.

INTERIOR: vaulted entrance hall re-modelled 1850; richly

decorated ribs spring from central column; painted ashlar

baronial chimneypiece. Wide oak staircase opens off hall,

with turned and carved balusters. Further turnpike staircase

in 1602 tower.

Former 1st floor hall entirely re-decorated in 1850 in

consciously historicist manner, with panelled walls, doors and

window shutters; nail-head detailing to window embrasures and doorpieces; ornate strapwork and pendant plaster ceiling;

marble chimneypiece with flanking caryatids, coat of arms and

monogram. Panelled library with carved chimneypiece with

marble surround.

Statement of Special Interest

Z-plan tower house probably built by John Grant and his wife

Barbara Gordon. Ballindalloch remained property of Grant

family until death of General William Grant in 1806, when

estate passed to George MacPherson of Invereshie, later Sir

George MacPherson-Grant. 2nd Baronet, Sir John, commissioned

Thomas Mackenzie to alter and remodel castle in 1850.

Various re-set datestones outside and inside castle.

References

Bibliography

About Listed Buildings

Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating sites and places at the national level. These designations are Scheduled monuments, Listed buildings, Inventory of gardens and designed landscapes and Inventory of historic battlefields.

We make recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

We list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published in Designation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019)

Listed building records provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only. Historic Environment Scotland does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed. Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While Historic Environment Scotland is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word 'excluding' and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word 'excluding', but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Listed building consent is required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Find out more about listing and our other designations at www.historicenvironment.scot/advice-and-support. You can contact us on 0131 668 8914 or at designations@hes.scot.