AberdeenshireDoors Open Days

DeesideSat 19 & Sun 20 September

2015

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Welcome to Doors Open Days Aberdeenshire 2015!Welcome to Doors Open Days Aberdeenshire 2015! This year’s event focuses on the Deeside area from Crathes to Braemar with 27 properties taking part, many of which are taking part for the first time. This year’s event is happening over two days: Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September with a variety of venues opening their doors for free; a restored train station at Milton of Crathes, two historic Deeside Estates at Ballogie and Glen Tanar, Braemar Castle, Banchory and Ballater Fire Stations, some of Deeside’s finest ecclesiastical buildings and many more.

There will be tours and exhibitions and refreshments at many of the venues hosted by the local communities. In Braemar, the Local History Group will be operating walking tours of the village. We hope you will enjoy your visits to the variety of properties on view for this exciting and unique event.

Doors Open Days is Scotland’s largest free annual architectural event. It is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust and is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of Europe and the European Union alongside Scottish Archaeology Month, coordinated by Archaeology Scotland). Both events are supported by Historic Scotland.

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Doors Open Days Info Hub at The Victory Hall

Come and visit us at our Event Hub at The Victory Hall, Aboyne. In addition to finding our more information about what to see and do over the Doors Open Days weekend there will be a variety of heritage-related displays in the hall including Visit Royal Deeside, Mid-Deeside Limited, the North East Scotland Preservation Trust, in addition to the Council’s Built Heritage Team, Archaeology, Local History and Archive services and many others.

Opening TimesSome buildings are taking part all weekend and others, for one day only, and these may be subject to last minute changes, so please check the opening times of each building you wish to visit and for up to date information, please check the websites detailed on the back page.

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Disabled Access

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Toilets

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Parking

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CRATHES1 Milton of Crathes Station

Royal Deeside Railway, Milton of Crathes, Banchory, AB31 5QH

Opening Times: Sat: 11am – 4:15pm, Sun: 11am – 4:15pm

1900 (Restored 2013-15), Great North of Scotland Railway, C Listed. This original Great North of Scotland Railway Company station was originally located at Oldmeldrum on the 6 mile spur line from Inverurie. It was used extensively for passenger and goods traffic until the line was closed in 1965. After closure the building was used as offices or storage for several businesses before being bought and dismantled in 2013 and rebuilt at Milton of Crathes. Entry into the Station building is free. Visitors can view displays of railway photos and memorabilia as well as the working Deeside Railway line steam and diesel trains. Train rides will be available throughout the day for a charge. Refreshments will also available for a small charge.

BANCHORY2 Banchory Fire Station

Grampian Fire & Rescue Service, Glebe Park, Banchory, AB31 5YB

Opening Times: Saturday: 11am – 3pm, Sunday: CLOSED

Visiting Banchory Fire Station is a chance for members of the public to see inside, view the equipment and meet station personnel who will be able to explain what the equipment is and what it is used for as well as being on hand to answer any questions, you might have. There will be two practical demonstrations using hydraulic rescue equipment to remove parts of a vehicle at 12.00 and 14.00 hours. No booking required. Please Note: During the Doors Open Days event, the fire appliances will still be available for emergency calls so the public should be aware of fire station personnel responding to a fire call and appliances being mobilised at short notice.

3 The Colourbothy Weaving Studio

East Steading, Hirn, Banchory, AB31 5QTOpening Times: Saturday: Guided tour only

at 17.15 Sunday: CLOSED

To book please call 01330 844257 or email opendoor@belindarose.co.uk. Approximately 30 minutes duration

2012 (Conversion), Glen A Strachan. An inspirational but simple studio, designed to make full use of natural daylight and to create a bright working weaving environment. At 64 square metres, built of wood, glass and modern materials, the external appearance and colour scheme make a bold statement. Situated in the garden, the space invokes a sense of stillness and connection with nature. Hand-woven textiles will be on display and there will be a demonstration of the craft. Please note that a visit to The Colourbothy is on the guided tour only, which must be booked in advance.

BALLOGIE ESTATE4 The Seedbox at Ballogie Walled

GardenWalled Garden, Ballogie, AB34 5DT

Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm, Sunday: CLOSED

Teas & coffees will be available for a small charge

Circa 1750, B listed. Ballogie Walled Garden forms part of the Ballogie Estate and is U-plan in shape, with a double terraced garden, open to the south-west. It is believed to be late 18th Century. The walled garden is carefully terraced to incorporate the gentle slope of the hill. The walls survive in near perfect condition. Having stood empty since 1992 the garden is now back in use by The Seed Box, a horticultural training and outdoor therapy service for adults with additional support needs. There will be photographs of the continuing re-development of the garden over the last two years and

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information about the proposed renovation of the old lean-to greenhouse. Teas & coffees available for a small charge.

5 Ballogie Home Farm and HouseBallogie, Aboyne, AB34 5DS

Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm Sunday: TBC

Guided tours will be operating starting from the Walled Garden at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 3pm. No booking required.

(Ballogie House only)

The impressive Home Farm (Category C listed) was constructed in a court-yard plan from pink coursed granite rubble with additions and alterations by Walker and Beattie in the late 19th century. The current Ballogie House was built in 1982 in a beautiful setting overlooking the Forest of Birse. Guided tours will commence at the Walled Garden through the farm, taking visitors to the listed Home Farm steading and up to Ballogie House, where visitors can go inside. The talk will give visitors information of the history of the estate and the buildings on it and describing the Estate’s current and future development plans.

ABOYNE6 World Horse Welfare, Belwade

FarmDess, Aboyne, AB34 5BJ

Opening Times: Saturday: 11am – 4pm, Sunday: 11am – 4pm

Guided tours available both days without booking at 11.30am and 4.30pm – Other times by arrangement please call: 01339885398

World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm Rescue and Rehoming Centre in Aboyne is one of Royal Deeside’s most inspiring visitor attractions. The rolling hills are home to around 65 once-abused or neglected horses who are at various stages of their rehabilitation and the farm’s impressive contemporary Visitor Centre sits amongst traditional farm buildings which have nestled in the dramatic landscape for decades. Adjacent to the Visitor Centre building, you can walk round the Belwade Stones; a stone circle built in 2013 from stones donated by the Invercauld Estate. For further information please visit www.worldhorsewelfare.org/farm/belwade-farm Visitor Centre Bistro will be open from 11am till 4pm for meals and refreshments.

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7 The Aboyne & Glen Tanar Memorial Hall (Victory Hall) & Doors Open Days Hub

Ballater Road, Aboyne, AB34 5HYOpening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm,

Sunday: 10am – 4pm

Check website for refreshments

1920, A Marshall MacKenzie, C listed. Aboyne & Glen Tanar Memorial Hall, known as the ‘Victory Hall’, is set in the heart of the village of Aboyne, Royal Deeside. It is a substantial granite building of character, both inside and out and is an unusually grand war memorial building. The building contains stained glass windows and panels bearing the names of those who fell for their country, and on the outside is the inscribed foundation stone. Inside, in the large Main Hall, the roof has decorative open timber purlins and trusses; the massive timbers having come from the forest of Glen Tanar. In the Formaston Room is the Formaston Stone, an ancient Pictish cross slab stone with interlaced carving, a Pictish mirror symbol and Ogham inscription.

8 Aboyne Dinnet Parish ChurchHuntly Road, Aboyne, AB34 5HE

Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm, Sunday: CLOSED

1842, John Smith, B listed. Aboyne Parish Church was constructed in 1842 in the Perpendicular Gothic style on the site of the original church which was erected in 1761. There is a vault under the church which dates back to 1762 and formed part of the original church. Visitors will be able to go down into the vault which is normally closed to the public. There will be displays about the Church of Scotland and the history of Aboyne-Dinnet Church, films will be showing the refurbishment of the church in 2007, Bell Project of 2012, and Hall Extension Project of 1994.

9 St Thomas Episcopal ChurchBallater Road, Aboyne, AB34 5NJ

Opening Times: Saturday: 2pm – 4pm, Sunday: 11:15am – 4pm

1909, Fryers & Penman, A listed. Designed for George Coats, cotton thread manufacturer in Paisley, who became Baron of Glentanar, the church is a Category A listed building built in the Gothic style. The design is based on a 13th Century church in Leicestershire. Inside the church the fine timber carving on the organ case and windows is attributed to the William Morris workshop. The aisle windows have 15th to 17th Century fragments of British and Continental glass, depicting heraldry and saints, arranged by Morris and Co. The bells ringing will be rung at intervals. The Church will be decorated for Harvest Festival with a family treasure hunt to take part in. A Harvest Festival Service will take place at 11:15am on the Sunday to which visitors are welcome to attend. The Church will remain open on Sunday until 4pm after the service. See website www.stthomasaboyne.org for more information.

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TARLAND10 Coull Kirk

Coull, Aboyne, AB34 4TSOpening Times: Saturday: 10am-4pm,

Sunday: 11am-4pm

1796, B listed. The Coull Kirk was built in the Neo-Classical style incorporating the 17th century gable end and birdcage belfry of the previous church. The site of the early church is closely linked to the remains of Coull Castle, which is a Scheduled Monument, 300 metres south east of the churchyard. Coull Kirk is retained as a place of worship for the summer months when the weather is warmer and the days are longer, as the building is not supplied from mains electricity. The interior of the Coull Kirk is lit by oil and gas lamps, which give the building little more than a warm glow!

11 Cromar Parish Church (St Moulags)

Cromar Drive,Tarland, AB34 4UFOpening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm,

Sunday: 11am-4pm

1869 (Spire 1889), William Smith, B listed. Cromar Parish Church, also known as St Moulag’s, was built in the Gothic style and is very large and striking for a small village; the south principal elevation is particularly noteworthy. The south face was built with fine ashlar granite, while the side elevations and rear gable are built with lower quality tooled granite blocks. Architect William Smith was an Aberdeen contemporary of Alexander Ellis, whose influence is visible. Oversized for its location, this highly unusual piece of Victorian Gothic superseded the 18th century Tarland Old Parish Church in the village square.

The following sites are worth a visit as you travel along Deeside, they are all Scheduled Ancient Monuments. These sites are managed by Historic Scotland, access is free and the sites are unmanned.

12 Culsh Earth House1 mile north-east of Tarland on the B9119.

A well-preserved underground passage, with roofing slabs intact over the large chamber and entrance. Culsh Earth House is around 14.5m long and 1.8m wide and is about 2000 years old. It is built of large granite boulders and still has its roof of massive flagstones intact

13 Tomnaverie Stone Circle1 mile south of Tarland on the B9094.

Stone circles are common throughout the British Isles, but the type of circle represented at Tomnaverie is found only in north-east Scotland. There are around 100 of them. Their characteristic feature is a large stone set on its side (recumbent), flanked by two upright stones, usually on the south or south-west arc of the circle.

14 Lumphanan Peel Ring0.5 miles South West of Lumphanan off the A980.

This great earthwork of the 13th-century was the site of a fortified residence, possibly a hunting lodge of the Durward family. On 21 July 1296, during his advance northward into Moray, Edward I of England made a detour to Lumphanan to receive the submission of Sir John de Melville, lord of Raith, in Fife. The castle seems to have been abandoned shortly after this time. The mound was briefly reoccupied in the 1480s when Thomas Charteris, of Kinfauns in Perthshire, built a modest two-storey residence on the summit. This was known as Ha’ton House, and now stands as foundations only.

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St Lesmo’s Chapel, Glen Tanar Ballroom & Estate OfficeGlen Tanar Estate, Nr Aboyne, AB34 5EU

Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm, Sunday:

At the Ballroom(donation to charity)

The Glen Tanar Estate was originally a deer forest which was part of the Aboyne Castle Estate. In 1860 Sir William Cunliffe Brookes, a Manchester banker and MP bought the estate from the 10th Marquis of Huntly. George Truefitt was the architect and 250 masons were employed to construct the buildings which are all built of locally quarried granite. The buildings on the estate were erected from 1869 onwards. Visitors are invited to view the Chapel of Saint Lesmo, the Glen Tanar Ballroom and the Estate Offices. Tours will be offered and no advanced booking is required. For more information on guided tours of the properties during the event, please email info@glentanar.co.uk

For information about the Estate and detailed maps, please visit www.glentanar.co.uk

BALLATER18 The Deeside Inn

13–15 Victoria Road, Ballater, AB35 5RAOpening Times: Sat: Open all day

Sun: Open all day

The Inn will be open as usual, visitors are welcome to visit Queen Victoria’s old toilet, this was originally designed and installed at Ballater Station waiting room in 1886 as the conditions were described as “rather primitive”. The thunder box found a new home at the Deeside Inn when the station was de-commissioned.

19 Glenmuick Parish ChurchChurch Square, Ballater, AB35 5NE

Opening Times: Sat: 10am – 4pm, Sun: 10am – 4pm

Public toilets with disabled toilet adjacent to the church.

1873, B listed. Glenmuick Parish Church is a striking landmark in the centre of Ballater. It was also the place around which the town developed. The architect J. Russell Mackenzie was from Aberdeen and most of his work is seen in the North East. The church was designed to have seating for 600 with 100 in the gallery. The church organ was built and installed by Messrs Forster & Andrews of Hull in 1889. Of particular interest are the four stained glass windows dating from late 19th century to present day, in memory of four individuals with strong connections to Ballater and Balmoral.

20 Ballater Fire StationAnderson Road, Ballater, AB35 5QW

Opening Times: Saturday: CLOSED, Sunday: 11am - 3pm

Limited parking at Station

Ballater fire station provides fire cover for the community of Ballater and the surrounding area. Ballater is a retained station and is crewed by local members of the community who are on 24 hour call. The station has one 10 crew appliance and a specialist forestry unit. The station is also trained in water rescue. Members of the public will be able to view all the equipment, appliances and have access to the station building and also speak to the local crews about the role of a retained firefighter.

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CRATHIE21 Crathie Kirk

Crathie, Ballater, AB35 5UL

Opening Times: Please check website

Access arrangements: Please check website

1893, A Marshall MacKenzie, B listed. Crathie Kirk was designed in a cruciform plan in the Scots Gothic style with distinctive steeply pitched gabled nave and parapetted crossing tower with splay footed spire. Crathie church is a well-designed compact church which is distinguished by having had connections with the Royal Family since its conception. The finely decorated interior is unusual compared to other Church of Scotland churches and shows similarities to more decorative Anglican Churches. The foundation stone was laid in 1893 by Queen Victoria.

AUCHTAVAN TOWNSHIP 22 Queen Mother’s Picnic Cottage,

Threshing Mill and CottageGlen Fearder, Crathie, AB35 5TQ

Opening Times: Saturday: CLOSED, Sunday: 11am-3pm

Parking in layby

Late 18th Century, A and B listed. Auchtavan Township – cottage, threshing mill and Queen Mother’s Cottage, situated at the head of Glen Fearder (which means the ‘Glen of High Water’) and overlooking Lochnagar, Auchtavan is built on land purchased from the Earls of Mar by the Farquharsons of Invercauld, who in turn sold the Balmoral Estate Lands to Queen Victorian and Prince Albert. The buildings are a rare survival of a traditional Highland clachan or fermtoun. This is an opportunity to explore how the community that once inhabited the settlement actually lived. A guide will be available on-site for any queries you may have.

Auchtavan is situated about 6 miles north-east of Braemar. Cars can be parked in the lay-by opposite the turn-off, marked Aberarder. It is then a 2.5 mile uphill walk to the settlement. The track passes through birch woods and open moorland and can be quite rough, walking shoes and outdoor clothing are recommended. See www.auchtavan.com for further details.

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BRAEMARWalking tours of Braemar village will be taking place at 11am and 3pm Saturday and Sunday by the Braemar Local History Group. Please meet outside the Invercauld Arms Hotel, Main Street, for the tour. No advanced booking required. The tour will visit the buildings taking part in the event in the village as well other buildings and sites of interest including Kindrochit Castle, the Tollhouse, the weather observatory gifted to the village by Prince Albert in 1855 and the Royal Pavilion at the village Highland Games Park. It is a great opportunity to learn more about this fascinating and historic village at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains.

23 Braemar ChurchClunie Bank Road, Braemar

Opening Times: Please check websiteAccess arrangements:

1869, R Lamb, B listed. The present Parish Church (known as the West Church) began life 1843 as a wooden building, to be replaced by a stone building in 1845. It was built as the meeting place for the break away group which seceded from the Church of Scotland to form the Free Church in 1843. The Church was built in 1870, the design reflected a return to an earlier era of church architecture in the spirit of Gothic revival. This was a reaction to the plain “barn like” structures which were typical of earlier church buildings. Such was the character of the new church that it inspired the minister of Crathie to advocate doing likewise, and with the help of Queen Victoria, the church there was demolished and rebuilt in1895.

24 St Margaret’s Episcopal ChurchCastleton Terrace, Braemar, AB35 5ZR

Opening Times: Saturday: 10am-12pm & 1pm-4pm, Sunday: 10am-12pm & 1pm-4pm

on street & public car park opposite

St Margaret’s Episcopal Church stands on a prominent, raised site, overlooking the village of Braemar. It was built by Sir John Ninian Comper over 8 years from 1899 to 1907 in the Gothic Revival style. This church is considered to be one of the finest example of his work, reflected in its Category A listing. The church was built to house congregation of tourists from England during summer season who visited the village in growing numbers as Queen Victoria came to Balmoral and after the expansion of the railway in the mid-19th century.

A group from the local community is working with the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust (SRCT) to restore and develop the former St Margaret’s Church as a hub for the visual and performing arts in Upper Deeside. The church is currently closed to the public so this is a great opportunity to visit the building, to view the beautifully crafted stained glass windows and to find out more about the Arts Hub project with the additional attraction of access to the tower giving stunning views over the village and to the Cairngorms. A guide will be available to answer any questions and children will be able to take part in a special quiz for a prize.

Tours to the top of the tower will be led at 11am and at 3pm. To book a place on a tour, please call the SRCT on 0131 563 5135.

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25 St Andrew’s RC ChurchSt Andrew’s Terrace, Braemar

Opening Times: Saturday: CLOSED, Sunday: 10am – 4pm

Parking on street

1839, B listed. This Church is an early example of a Gothic Revival Catholic church, incorporating an attached presbytery (built in 1864). The building was constructed under the patronage of Lady Carmarthen, who was married to the 7th Duke of Leeds who rented Old Mar Lodge from the Earl of Fife. It was built at cost of £1126 and the stones came from a quarry within 15 metres of the building. The stained glass window depicts Scottish Saints and were gifted to the Church by James Calder and were made by Louis Grosse & Co. of London and Bruges. The newly installed Pictish font will be available for viewing and a guide will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about the building.

26 Kindrochit CastleBalnellan Road, Braemar

Opening Times: Sat: Open all day, Sun: Open all day

Parking and toilets at public car park opposite

Kindrochit Castle as it stands was constructed in the early 1300s. The castle was then named Ceann-drochit meaning Bridge Head. It is believed that King Robert II spent time here to enjoy the hunting on the Braes of Mar. Subsequently King Robert III gifted the castle to Sir Malcolm Drummond, his brother-in-law. He built the family tower on the site in 1390, making it the fifth largest castle in Scotland at the time. Today the castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, is cared for by an independent voluntary group called Friends of Kindrochit. The ruins are open for all to explore following a recent restoration project funded by Aberdeenshire Council and the Cairngorms National Park Authority. Wherever possible, the site has been designed to be accessible to all, with a flat, level path leading around the main elements. For your safety, please do not climb on the wall heads.

27 Braemar CastleBraemar, AB35 5XR

Opening Times: Saturday: 10am - 5pm Sunday: CLOSED

All rooms in the Castle are accessed by a spiral stone staircase so the Castle is not suitable for anyone with mobility difficulties.

1628, A listed. Constructed in 1628 by the powerful Earl of Mar to replace the crumbling Kindrochit Castle, Braemar Caste was also originally used as a hunting lodge. The Castle has links to three Jacobite rebellions, with government troops garrisoned there in the 1700s. The castle is a 5 Storey, ‘L’ Plan structure with a star shaped curtain wall. It is prominently situated on a raised mound on the south side of the River Dee and can be seen as you come in to Braemar from the east. There will be a Jacobite Exhibition and Braemar Highland Gathering Exhibition and film footage from 1952. Castle tours will be subject to the usual charge, however there will be free access to view the newly opened ‘well’ and free refreshments available.

Castle tours will be subject to the usual charge, however there will be free access to view the newly opened ‘well’ and free refreshments available.

Further information & UpdatesEvery effort has been made to ensure the information in this leaflet is correct at time of print. For up to date information on our venue listings and for any changes to the programme, updates, amendments and additions, please look at the national website, Aberdeenshire Council’s website and on our Facebook Page at the addresses below.

www.doorsopendays.org.ukwww.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/doorsopendayswww.facebook.com/AberdeenshireDoorsOpenDaysThis leaflet will also available to download at these sites. Location maps for all venues will be on the Aberdeenshire Area Pages available at www.doorsopendays.org.uk

If you would like any further information about the event or have any queries, please email us at doorsopen@aberdeenshire.gov.uk

The organisation of this year’s event in Aberdeenshire, together with the production of this leaflet has been through Aberdeenshire Doors Open Day Coordinators Frances Swanston and Cheryl Roberts of the Environment Team, with support from the Economic Development Team, both at Aberdeenshire Council.

Our gratitude and thanks go to all those who have generously agreed to open their buildings to make this event possible.Please note that visitors entering buildings do so at their own risk. Children must be accompanied. None of the participating organisations or buildings is responsible for any accidents of damage that might be incurred. The owners/custodians of the buildings retain the right to refuse access.

Share you experiences of Doors Open Day AberdeenshireWe would love to hear from you about the event, the buildings you visited and your feedback. Please send us your photos of your favourite buildings (exterior only) and share your experiences over the weekend by posting and uploading them to our Facebook site.

www.facebook.com/AberdeenshireDoorsOpenDays

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