View from west

Description View from west

Date 8/10/2001

Collection Records of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland (RCAHMS), Edinbu

Catalogue Number E 15837 CN

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 769177

Scope and Content Gate Lodge, Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire This charming lodge house is octagonal, and was subsequently nicknamed 'the threepenny bit' owing to its shape. It is constructed of granite, with a slated roof, projecting eaves, and a central chimney-stack. The window sashes are divided unequally, and redivided by astragals to give a smaller 12-light upper sash, and a larger, two-paned lower sash. The attic extensions are modern. In the 19th century, the gate lodge usually flanked the main driveway entrance to the house, and was designed to accommodate the lodge keeper, his wife and family. The lodge keeper was responsible for opening and shutting the gates separating the house from the main thoroughfare. The lodge tended to be small, and if constructed at the same time as the house, often reflected the style of that house, probably having been designed by the same architect. In the mid-20th century when the job of gatekeeper became no longer functional, the lodge was often used to accommodate other estate workers, such as gamekeepers or gardeners. The Balmoral estate was bought in 1852 by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria at their own expense as a Highland retreat from the stresses of London life. Prince Albert initiated many improvements, including the building of a new holiday home, Balmoral Castle, in 1853-5, and put forward plans for a model estate with new houses and offices for estate workers and tenants. Most of these new buildings, many of which were designed by William Smith, the architect who designed the castle, were completed by 1857, and are currently occupied by estate staff. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/687910