Cluny Castle

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Front view of Cluny Castle

Cluny Castle was originally built c.1604 as a Z-plan castle replacing either a house

or small peel tower. Sited in the parish of Cluny, it is south of Monymusk and north
of Sauchen in Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. Owned by three separate
branches of Gordon families over the centuries, it was used to
shelter Jacobite rebels in the mid-18th century. Extensive additions were made in
1820 to the design of architect John Smith when it was in the ownership of
Colonel John Gordon. Two wings of the castle and the adjoining private chapel were
destroyed by fire in 1926, but the damage was restored.
It is a Category A listed building and has been used as a film setting. The grounds
are included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland.
As of 2020 it remains privately owned by the Baron of Cluny who has employed
craftsmen to complete extensive renovations. It is not open to the public but
corporate events are hosted there and weddings are held in the chapel.

Contents

 1History
 2Architecture
 3Twenty-first century
 4References
o 4.1Notes
o 4.2Citations
o 4.3Bibliography
 5External links

History[edit]
On an unknown date prior to 1325 King Robert the Bruce granted the lands of Cluny
(Gaelic meaning meadow[1] or "meadows interspersed with rising grounds" [2]) to his
sister Mary's husband, Alexander Fraser. The lands passed down through the family,
via Adam Gordon of Huntly and the Earls of Huntly, to John Gordon, a younger son
of the 3rd Earl. His son Sir Thomas Gordon (d. 1607) built the castle to replace an
earlier house or peel tower.[a] The lands were inherited by his son, Alexander Gordon,
who became the fourth laird of Cluny. By 1636 the cost of building the castle
combined with other financial difficulties caused ownership of the lands to be
transferred.[3] The castle had various owners, probably creditors, until 1680, when it
became the property of Robert Gordon, of the Gordonstoun branch of the family. It
remained in the hands of this family until the mid-18th century. [4]
The Gordons of Cluny were implicated in the Jacobite Rising of 1745, and had also
incurred debts. This resulted in the castle passing to a third branch of the Gordon
family around 1753, although the exact date is unknown. The new proprietor John
Gordon (1695–1769) was of obscure origins. He was an Edinburgh merchant as well
as a factor to Cosmo Gordon, 3rd Duke of Gordon. John Gordon's son was also
named Cosmo Gordon (1736–1800) and he inherited the estate on his father's death
in 1769.[5] He was a politician and co-founder of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.[6] He
did some work at the castle, although records give no indication of what was
involved. Plans for a re-design were commissioned from Robert Adam in 1790 and
from his business partner and younger brother James in 1793, though this work was
never carried out.[5] Pre-deceased by his wife, Mary Baillie, Cosmo Gordon died
without issue in 1800 and was succeeded by his brother Charles, described by
architectural historian H. Gordon Slade[7] as "eccentric and excessively penurious".
[5]
 When Charles died on 8 May 1814, various bequests were made to his children;
his eldest son John, later an army colonel and a member of Parliament, inherited
Cluny and the remainder of the properties plus £30,000. [8] No money had been spent
on the estate during the years it was owned by Charles Gordon. [5]

South Lodge, Cluny Castle

It was under the ownership of Colonel Gordon that extensive additions were made to
the castle, commencing around 1820. [9] He had previously inherited the estates of his
uncle, a merchant in West India, and the Colonel continued to extend his fortune,
purchasing additional lands including North and South Uist, Benbecula and Barra.
[10]
 The Colonel died in 1858; a description included in his obituaries was "the richest
commoner in the northern part of the kingdom." [11] In The Times dated 23 July 1858,
his assets were estimated at between £2–3 million and it stated he was "without
doubt the richest commoner in Scotland." [12] He was unmarried but had four
illegitimate children; all bar his eldest son John (c.1820–1878) pre-deceased him.
[13]
 Despite a series of litigations lasting 20 years, in 1858 the estates were inherited
by his natural son John, who became an Aberdeenshire Militia captain from 29
March 1852. The captain continued the castle renovations and improved the general
policies[b] by additions of artificial lakes and woodland.[14]
Captain Gordon also died without issue in 1878. Emily Pringle, his second wife,
married Sir Reginald Cathcart becoming Lady Cathcart. The estates were overseen
by a trust set up by Colonel Gordon (the Cluny Trust). In September 1926 a fire
started near the kitchen causing extensive damage to two wings of the castle and
destroying the private chapel. After Lady Cathcart's death in 1932, the estate passed
to Captain Gordon's cousin, Charles Arthur Linzee. He adopted the name Linzee
Gordon[15] to comply with a stipulation made by Colonel Gordon in a codicil added to
his will on 21 June 1852.[16] In an earlier legal document dated 5 October 1835 the
Colonel had declared that he wished his illegitimate children to inherit but he did not
intend to marry to facilitate it.[16] The codicil ensured the family name was continued
by mandating that any heirs to the estates "shall be bound and obliged constantly to
bear, use and retain the surname of 'Gordon' and arms and designation of 'Gordon
of Cluny' in all time after their succession to, or obtaining possession of, my said
lands and estates, as their proper surname, arms and designation." [17]
Historic Scotland listed the castle as a Category A listed building in April 1971.[18]

Architecture[edit]

Cluny Castle pictured in 1966

Construction of the original Z-plan castle was completed in 1604; there is a

commemorative stone inscribed "Thom. Gordon a Cluny miles me fecit 1604". [19] The
Master Mason Ian (John) Bell (Bel) is attributed with the construction of the original
Cluny Castle and nearby Castle Fraser.[20][21] MacGibbon and Ross attributed Cluny to
a date earlier than 1604 and suggested it was similar in design to Claypotts
Castle and would date from about the same time.[22]
The Aberdeen City Architect, John Smith was commissioned to undertake an
extensive re-design of the castle in the 1820s. Completion of the construction work
spanned several years and meant the castle was unsuitable for residential use until
1832. It took until the early 1840s for the work to be finished. [9] The old castle was
cocooned in granite so it blended with the new extensions and its first floor hall
became the principal dining room. A clone of the old castle was built towards the
east and the two were conjoined by a new building housing the entrance hall, main
stairway and gallery corridor. The drawing room and morning room were on the first
floor of the replica wing. The ground fell away at the rear of the buildings and an
extra basement level was added there. [9] Circular towers, arched windows with hood
moulds and crenellated parapets above bold corbelling were all incorporated into the
design. The pre-existing tower on the west elevation was considerably heightened by
the addition of a further tall square tower above it. [23]
Significant parts of the castle were gutted by fire in September 1926. The main
house was not damaged but two wings and the chapel were consumed by flames.
Restoration work was promptly undertaken – a report in the Aberdeen
Journal estimated repairs would be between £60,000 to £70,000. The chapel was re-
constructed to resemble its former state and some re-modelling of the courtyard
wings was carried out.[15][24][c]
The later extensions were initially described by architectural historian H. Gordon
Slade[7] in 1978 as "the most shocking mis-use of architectural effort and granite in
the north east of Scotland."[26] However, in 1981, he amended his opinion stating:
"The architectural qualities of the castle as John Smith redesigned it become much
more apparent and impressive as one becomes better acquainted with them, and –
once regret at the loss of the old Cluny is set aside – it is possible to accord the new
Cluny the approbation that it merits."[24] A respected archaeologist, Ian Shepherd, [27]
[28]
 characterised it "As fantastical a baronial pile as can be found in eastern
Scotland".[29]

Twenty-first century[edit]

Cluny Castle with the Gordon arms

The castle remains privately owned and was inherited by the current Baron of Cluny,
Cosmo Linzee Gordon, when he reached 18 years of age in 2010. [30]
Some scenes for the film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren, were recorded at the
castle.[31] It is not open to the public although some corporate events and conferences
are catered for. In addition, it can be used as a wedding venue with the ceremony
taking place in the private chapel, which can seat up to 100 guests. [30][32] Overnight
accommodation is available for the main guests at weddings. [33]
From 2006, the policies were listed on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed
Landscapes in Scotland by Historic Scotland. It is assessed as outstanding in the
work of art category and receives a high rating in the horticultural, arboricultural and
silvicultural categories due to the Wellingtonia trees planted in the 19th century.[29]
During 2016, renovations were undertaken: the chapel was repainted; the roof and
ceiling above the main staircases in the castle were replaced; and drainage systems
overhauled. Refurbishment work is ongoing but the majority of the restoration has
been completed. The renovations have all been funded by the family estate. [33]

References[edit]
Notes[edit]
1. ^ Slade describes it as a house but Miller refers to a peel
tower
2. ^ The definition of policies as used in Scots land
terminology given in the OED is: "The enclosed (and often
ornamental) grounds, park, or demesne land surrounding
a large country house."
3. ^ Slade gives the date of the fire as 25 September;
[24]
 however, the cutting from the Aberdeen Journal is
dated 16 September[15] and The Times dated 18
September 1926 also includes details of the fire.[25]

Citations[edit]
1. ^ Milne (1912), p. 96
2. ^ Lewis (1846), p. 214
3. ^ Slade (1981), p. 455
4. ^ Slade (1981), pp. 458–459
5. ^ Jump up to:a b c d Slade (1981), p. 460
6. ^ Royal Society of Edinburgh (2006), p. 367
7. ^ Jump up to:a b "Special collections, Ref: MS 3127".
University of Aberdeen. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
8. ^ Farrell, Stephen. "Gordon, John (c.1776–1858), of
Cluny, Aberdeen". History of Parliament. Archived
from  the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 15
November 2013.
9. ^ Jump up to:a b c Miller (2007), p. 94
10. ^ Slade (1981), p. 462
11. ^ Bulloch (1911), p. 40
12. ^ "The richest commoner in Scotland". The Times. 23
July 1858. Retrieved  1 December  2013.(subscription
required)
13. ^ Bulloch (1911), pp. 40, 49
14. ^ Bulloch (1911), p. 49
15. ^ Jump up to:      "Gordon of Cluny: the working life of an
a b c

Aberdeenshire Castle".  University of Aberdeen. Archived

from  the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved  10
November 2013.
16. ^ Jump up to:a b Bulloch (1911), p. 43
17. ^ Bulloch (1911), pp. 43–44
18. ^ Historic Environment Scotland.  "Cluny
Castle  (Category A Listed Building) (LB2949)".
Retrieved 26 March  2019.
19. ^ Slade (1981), pp. 454–455
 20. ^ "Midmar Old Kirk"  (PDF). Aberdeenshire Council.
Archived from  the original  (PDF)  on 2 March 2012.
Retrieved 15 November2013.
21. ^ "Castle Fraser, Canmore ID: 18722".  RCAHMS.
Archived from  the original on 3 December 2013.
Retrieved 15 November 2013.
22. ^ MacGibbon & Ross, (1887), p. 237
23. ^ Miller (2007), p. 97
24. ^ Jump up to:      Slade (1981), p. 480
a b c

25. ^ "The Lotus Case At Constantinople".  The Times. 18

September 1926. Retrieved  1 December  2013.
(subscription required)
26. ^ Slade (1981), p. 454
27. ^ Ralston, Ian. "Ian Shepherd". Society of Antiquaries of
London. Archived from  the original on 2 February 2014.
Retrieved 30 November 2013.
28. ^ Ralston, Ian (13 August 2009).  "Ian Shepherd:
Archaeologist who led the way in Scottish research". The
Independent. Archived from the original  on 20 December
2013. Retrieved  30 November  2013.
29. ^ Jump up to:a b Historic Environment Scotland.  "Cluny Castle
(GDL00103)". Retrieved  26 March 2019.
30. ^ Jump up to:a b Metalf, Charlotte (November 2011). "Cluny
Castle". Tatler. Archived from  the original on 30
November 2013. Retrieved 30 November 2013.
31. ^ Fitzpatrick, Maria (24 June 2009). "Dream property to
let: take to the tower".  The Daily Telegraph. Archived
from  the original on 25 February 2014. Retrieved 11
November 2013.
32. ^ "Cluny Castle". Luxury Scottish Weddings. Archived
from  the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 30
November 2013.
33. ^ Jump up to:a b House, Ellie (29 April 2017),  "Meet Cosmo -
the 25-year-old owner of Cluny Castle",  Y&L, Press &
Journal, pp. 4–6

Bibliography[edit]
 Bulloch, John Malcolm (1911).  The Gordons of Cluny from the
Early Years of the Eighteenth Century Down to the Present
Time.
 Lewis, Samuel (1846), A Topographical Dictionary of
Scotland, Institute of Historical Research
 MacGibbon, David; Ross, Thomas (1887). The castellated
and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the
eighteenth century. D. Douglas.
 Miller, David G. (2007).  Tudor Johnny: City Architect of
Aberdeen. Librario.  ISBN  978-1-904440-97-0.
 Milne, John (1912). Celtic Place-names in Aberdeenshire.
Aberdeen Daily Journal.
 Royal Society of Edinburgh (July 2006).  Biographical Index of
former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783 –
2002  (PDF). The Royal Society of Edinburgh. ISBN 0-902-
198-84-X.
 Slade, H Gordon (1981).  "Cluny Castle,
Aberdeenshire"  (PDF). Proceedings of the Society of
Antiquaries of Scotland. 111: 454–492.[permanent dead link]
External links[edit]
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Castle.

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Coordinates:  57.1983°N 2.5059°W
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 Listed castles in Scotland
 Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes
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