History for Sale: Knockhall Castle, Aberdeenshire
Historic buildings have
always captured our imagination, with dreams of what they once were and what
they might become. In an occasional series, Ranald
Boydell considers some historic properties currently for sale, whether only ruins or still
standing.
The
following history is quoted from the heritage listing with Historic Environment
Scotland.
The lands of Newburgh were held by the Sinclair family from
the 13th century, with a settlement established there in 1261. The tower was probably
built in 1565 for Henry, Master of Sinclair, the future 6th Lord Sinclair. It
is recorded that James VI stayed with him at Knockhall on 9 July 1589. The
castle was sold in 1633 to a son of Udny of that Ilk and was damaged in 1639
when taken by the Earl Marischal for the Covenanters. It was later returned to
Udny hands and it may have been at this time that the building was altered.
The family occupied the castle until 1734, when
an accidental fire gutted the building. This episode is associated with James
Fleming better known as Jamie Fleeman, the laird of Udny's fool. A servant of
the laird, Jamie is said to have saved the laird's iron charter chest, which
usually took three men to lift, from the fire by picking it up and throwing it
out of a window. The laird rewarded Jamie with a peck of meal and sixpence per
week for life.
What to do with it?
There
really is only one obvious choice for Knockhall Castle – restore the building
as a house. This is a classic piece of Scotland’s heritage, steeped in history,
oozing romantic charm and intrigue, simultaneously rugged and elegant, with an
endless view across rolling farmland to the North Sea. The fact that it has
been a ruin for almost 300 years should not deter the potential restorer. But how
to make the most of that restoration, that poses some much more challenging
questions.
In
terms of simply creating a house, despite the title of castle the building is
modest in scale. Its plan is compact and workable: three stories accessed by a
spiral staircase, the lower level vaulted, the upper two having good-sized
windows, plus an attic above in what would have been a gabled roof. A
traditional and practical room layout would have kitchen and entry on the
ground floor, drawing room on the first floor, and then bedrooms on the second
floor and attic, perhaps 4 or 5 in total.
In
terms of restoration, because it has been a ruin for so long there is little to
draw on as the basis for a faithful reconstruction: no prospect of some grainy
old photographs being discovered, or a set of drawings from a Victorian
remodelling which is so often the case. What is left is like a fossil, the
skeleton preserved more or less intact, but with only scant evidence of the
skin or internal workings. In such cases, the best answer is to look at
precedents, and in that sense we can be fairly confident of what the castle
would have looked like as the palette of materials and styles during its era
was limited. Given how intact the stone walls are, this would provide enough
substance for a good period restoration, and in many ways that would be the
simplest option to pursue, both in terms of getting planning approval (which
can’t be taken for granted) and for detailing the building works.
Restoration
would, however, potentially compromise the one characteristic of the building
that we can be certain of: that unique quality which comes from centuries of
decay, the patina of age, and the striking silhouette of the ruin with its
jagged crown. Rather than restoration, adaptation of the structure would be
possible to persevere something of this “fossil” quality whilst still making
the building habitable. Astley Castle in Warwickshire, restored by The Landmark
Trust in 2012, is an award-winning example of that approach, with a minimalist
modern fitout sitting almost unseen within the historic structure.
This
is a style of architecture the Mediterranean countries are particularly good
at, no doubt provoked by the sheer quantity of ancient structures they need to
preserve and find uses for. The modern interventions can be bold and striking,
designed to emphasise the contrast with the ancient structure in an iconic way.
Or they can be subtle, quietly fading into the background in a way that
enhances and never detracts from the original features.
Knockhall
would lend itself to this approach, especially if intended as a holiday house,
as there wouldn’t be the need to make the most of every bit of space or include
those awkward necessities of everyday life (things like storage cupboards). The
vaulted chamber on the ground floor could simply remain like that, a rugged
chamber, where any and every activity could take place as the need arises. The first
floor could be reinstated as the “great hall”, a single large space where
living, eating and cooking all take place. Upstairs would be the bedrooms,
whether just a few spacious suites for a luxurious stay in the countryside, or
a range of more compact spaces to sleep a full family gathering.
So
much for the building, but what about the setting of Knockhall Castle? Whilst
set in glorious rolling countryside, the actual garden area being offered for
sale is small, the building sitting awkwardly at a right angle bend in the
road. I think getting the setting of a house right is where an architect’s
skills are most revealed, for it relies on the ability to conceive in three
dimensions on a scale far beyond the actual structure as well as allowing for
changes over time. This is what some of the greatest British designers were
masters of, the likes of Capability Brown, Edwin Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll.
At
Knockhall, the opportunity comes from the fact that the plot includes not just
the garden but also the access road, which extends right down to the main road.
Clever landscaping along its length would allow the road to be perceived more
as a private driveway for the house, enhancing the sense of approach and
arrival. The garden itself could be kept very simple to maintain a sense of
scale in proportion to the building, perhaps just gravel with concentrated mass
plantings at key focal points. Tall hedges would be good to provide a sense of
enclosure as well as protection from the winds, and as the ground floor is
pretty much windowless these wouldn’t impede any significant views from the
rooms. You might even consider a ha-ha, allowing the adjacent field to be
“borrowed”.
Creating
a counterpoint of some sort, so that the domineering structure is not totally
alone, would perhaps have the greatest impact. For this, we do have historic
precedent in the dovecot, as shown in these historic photographs from c.1900.
Remnants of its circular walls appear to survive on the site and rebuilding it,
complete with its picturesque conical roof, would significantly enhance the
whole setting.
Rebuilding a ruined structure is never a
simple project, but the opportunity exists at Knockhall Castle to work with a special piece of Scotland’s history to create a truly stunning home. Even by
British standards, having a house with the date 1565 above the door is a rather
special privilege.
Note:
The above is based on limited research. Research references can be provided on
request. Further investigations might alter the suggested approach. Any
development of the site would be subject to obtaining the necessary approvals
from the Council and other relevant authorities.
The
property is listed for sale with Savills in Aberdeen. For details see…
© Ranald Boydell rb@ranaldboydell.com
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