View of rear from south west Digital image of E 15402 cn

Description View of rear from south west Digital image of E 15402 cn

Date 24/7/2001

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

Catalogue Number SC 769288

Category On-line Digital Images

Copy of E 15402 CN

Scope and Content Rear of Craig Gowan House, Balmoral Estate, Aberdeenshire, from the south-west This collection of buildings, constructed from the same local granite as the castle, or local timber (right), comprises the servants' accommodation and service quarters of the house. The lean-to porch (centre) and small game larder (left), are constructed of corrugated iron sheeting, a material that was in popular use in Scotland during the second half of the 19th century. Both the porch and game larder are painted in 'Balmoral beige', a colour chosen by Prince Albert. Craig Gowan was designed as a shooting lodge to provide secondary accommodation for the royal family. It could be used throughout the year for short visits without the necessity of opening up and staffing the castle. It provided accommodation for a small number of servants, and had the important provision of a game larder to hang the birds, mainly red grouse and pheasant, shot on the hills. The wire mesh vents on the side ensured that the larder was airy and cool, and kept the insects out. Inside, the game was hung alternately by the head and feet to ensure even ripening of the meat. 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. Craig Gowan House, a shooting lodge probably designed by William Smith, the architect who designed the castle, was built c.1855 as a 'second' home for the royal family. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/collection/769288

File Format (TIF) Tagged Image File Format bitmap