Brodie Castle, Stables

NH95NE 10.02 9788 5780

NH 9788 5780 Survey and assessment of the standing fabric of the Old Stables was undertaken in August 1999 in advance of conservation works. Analysis of the standing fabric, following excavations in 1995 (DES 1998, 66), further refined the understanding of the structure which consisted of three principal phases:

Phase 1: The remains of the NW gable wall of an earlier range is incorporated into the existing structure. From its clay-bonded, mortar-pointed walls, a narrow window with chamfered arises and steeply pitched roof, this may represent a structure of the 16th or 17th century.

Phase 2: The existing stables block was built around the gable wall of the earlier structure, thus representing a very substantial extension rather than a replacement. The stables do not appear on an estate plan of 1770 but were probably built not long afterwards, as part of a programme of general estate improvement. This handsome and substantial structure was built in a restrained classical idiom, symmetrically designed with three arched openings on each long elevation and paired bulls-eye windows above. The latter acted as ventilators for a substantial loft, the lower parts of the windows being infilled with masonry, plastered and, presumably, painted with a trompe-l'oeil mirror image of the window above. The structure was well-built of mortared rubblework. The substantial breadth of the building (over 9m) explains the curious roof structure which was originally supported by posts rising from a central spine wall. A test excavation at the NW gable failed to locate evidence for a contemporary stair to the loft entrance above; access must have been by ladder. The seatings for a hoist survive to the side of the entrance that had held an iron swey which would have allowed loads to be swung into the loft following lifting. The loft entrance was formed of reused stones from an earlier doorway, its dressings displaying chamfered arises suggesting a similar period to the phase 1 structure - most likely recovered from the small range depicted in 1770 but demolished for the erection of the stables structure.

Phase 3: An ink and wash proposal for the redesign of the stables, dated 1846, survives at Brodie whereby the early range was to be replaced by a five-storeyed Scots baronial tower. Associated with this the stables were to be reordered by the infilling of the arched openings, the application of buttresses and the construction of a tympany gable, crow steps, etc. In the event the early range was demolished in preparation, buttresses were applied and the archways infilled, but the work was abruptly halted at that point. The reason for this appears to have been the removal of the central posts supporting the roof structure. When this occurred the lateral thrust from the now unsupported roof caused the outer walls to spread dramatically. The roof structure was then rapidly braced but further works were abandoned. Oddly, the roughly truncated remains of the gable of the early structure were never made good and remain today as they had been left.

Sponsor: National Trust for Scotland.

T Addyman 2000