Crathes Castle, Farmsteading

NO79NW 8.12 7335 9692

NO 7335 9692 Recording of exterior elevations of the N and E ranges of the estate offices courtyard was carried out in March and April 2001 in advance of reharling. At least seven major structural phases were identified, in which an ?18th/early 19th-century free-standing building aligned N-S, at the SE corner of the present courtyard, became incorporated into the development of the E range of offices, most likely in the earlier 19th century. Rebuilding on the same footprint occurred at some point in the mid-19th century, with the extension to the original free-standing building consisting of a granary over cartsheds, directly linked to the N range, which appears to be of the same build. The W half of the N range was demolished at some point between 1923 and 1968. The original 18th/19th-century building underwent two periods of major structural change in the 1950s and 1980s with its conversion to public toilets.

Report to be lodged with the NMRS.

Sponsor: National Trust for Scotland.

S M Fraser 2001b

NO 734 969 A watching brief was carried out between February 2005 and spring 2006 over redevelopment of the 18th/19th-century steading court, specifically the standing structures and excavation of their interiors. A general historic building survey was also undertaken, incorporating the results of previous recording in 2003.

Archive to be deposited in NMRS.

Sponsor: NTS.

NO 733 969 An excavation was undertaken between February and August 2005 alongside the N and E ranges of the enclosed courtyard behind the horse mill. Later, a series of watching briefs and small-scale excavations took place in the central area and NW part of the courtyard (NO79NW 8.12). These interventions were aimed to record any features revealed during the lowering of the yard surface and building development work associated with the Skytrek project.

The W end of the early 19th-century N range had been demolished c 1945. This was excavated and recorded. A drain led

from within the range into the yard, and three stone-lined sockets were excavated which may have held the hind posts of trevises for horse or possibly cattle stalls.

Beneath the modern yard surface was a very fine band of cobbling, c 3m wide, alongside the N and E ranges. A small area of this cobbling was also revealed beside the NE corner of the W range. The cobbling was bordered on the side facing the centre of the yard by an elegantly curved kerb of large stones. This line is shown on the 1864 OS map and can probably be dated to c1850-64 when the horse mill was constructed. An earlier yard surface, probably early 19th century, was also identified beside the E range. Stone-lined drains were found associated with both phases of the yard development.

In the E part of the central area of the courtyard, foundations were recorded which can probably be identified as the support for the saw bench used in the sawmill built during WW2. The shed of the sawmill is shown in this position in an RAF aerial photograph taken in May 1945.

Report to be lodged with Aberdeenshire SMR and NMRS.

Sponsor: NTS.