Archaeology Notes

Event ID 702502

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/702502

NO09SW 1 0411 9338

NO 042 934 A historic building survey was carried out at Derry Lodge, Listed C(s). The project included desk-based, photographic and metric building survey on both the interior and exterior of the building. A combination of test pitting and trial trenching was also carried out to investigate the structural remains of ancillary buildings, and a detailed survey of the wider landscape was undertaken. The results have established five principal phases in the developmental history of the lodge:

Phase 1: 18th century. A shieling house was present near the site of the lodge. The Phase 1 structure was rectangular with a central door flanked by two windows on the S elevation. A fireplace was also present on each gable.

Phase 2: early 19th century. A hunting lodge was established by expanding the house into a two-unit, one-and-a-half storey structure by adding a kitchen.

Phase 3: mid- to late 19th century. The greatest period of development of the building. The earlier L-shaped building was enlarged to form a U-shaped plan. This phase saw a heightening of the W gable to accommodate an attic floor with dormer windows. An E wing was also constructed during this phase.

Phase 4: early to mid-20th century. Alterations included the insertion of a WC on the ground floor. A bathroom was created on the first floor by partitioning off part of a bedroom.

Phase 5: mid- to late 20th century. A new passage and scullery were constructed by the Cairngorm Club in 1955. Following vacation of the lodge by the club, the building has remained unoccupied and is in a dilapidated condition.

Report lodged with Aberdeenshire SMR and the NMRS.

Sponsor: NTS.

M Cressey and K Hicks 2003