884:
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30:
333:, were recorded at the castle, and it has also featured on a variety of UK national television programmes. It is not open to the public although some corporate events, political gatherings, and conferences are catered for. In addition, it can be used as a wedding venue with the ceremony taking place in the private chapel, which can seat up to 100 guests. Overnight accommodation is available for the main guests at weddings.
313:
238:
210:, his second wife, married Sir Reginald Cathcart becoming Lady Cathcart. The estates were overseen by a trust set up by Colonel Gordon (the Cluny Trust). In September 1926 a fire started in the Servants' Hall kitchens causing extensive damage to two wings of the castle and destroying the private chapel which had been intricately decorated by the notable artist
300:
redesigned it becomes much more apparent and impressive as one becomes better acquainted with them, and – once regret at the loss of the old Cluny is set aside – it is possible to accord the new Cluny the approbation that it merits." A respected archaeologist, Ian
Shepherd, characterised it "As fantastical a
299:
The later extensions were initially described by architectural historian H. Gordon Slade in 1978 as "the most shocking misuse of architectural effort and granite in the north-east of
Scotland." However, in 1981, he amended his opinion stating: "The architectural qualities of the castle as John Smith
198:
dated 23 July 1858, his assets were estimated at between £2–3 million and it stated he was "without doubt the richest commoner in
Scotland." He was unmarried but had four illegitimate children; all bar his eldest son John (c.1820–1878) predeceased him. Despite a series of litigations lasting 20
274:
so it blended with the new extensions and its first floor hall became the principal dining room. A clone of the old castle was built towards the east and the two were conjoined by a new building housing the entrance hall, main stairway and gallery corridor. The drawing room and morning room were on
218:
added to his will on 21 June 1852. In an earlier legal document dated 5 October 1835, the
Colonel had declared that he wished his illegitimate children to inherit, but he did not intend to marry to facilitate it. The codicil ensured the family name was continued by mandating that any heirs to the
159:
in 1793, though this work was never carried out. Predeceased by his wife, Mary
Baillie, Cosmo Gordon died without issue in 1800 and was succeeded by his brother Charles, described by architectural historian H. Gordon Slade as "eccentric and excessively penurious". When Charles died on 8 May 1814,
269:
was commissioned to undertake an extensive redesign of the castle in the 1820s. Completion of the construction work spanned several years and meant the castle was unsuitable for residential use until 1832. It took until the early 1840s for the work to be finished. The old castle was cocooned in
347:
During 2016 and 2017, substantial renovations were undertaken: the chapel was repainted; the roof and ceiling above the main staircases in the castle were replaced; turrets redecorated and drainage systems overhauled. Refurbishment work is ongoing but the majority of the restoration has been
175:
It was under the ownership of
Colonel Gordon that extensive additions were made to the castle, commencing around 1820. He had previously inherited the estates of his uncle, a merchant in West India, and the Colonel continued to extend his fortune, purchasing additional lands including
219:
estates "shall be bound and constantly obliged to bear, use and retain the surname of 'Gordon' and arms and designation of 'Gordon of Cluny' in all time after their succession to, or obtaining possession of, my said lands and estates, as their proper surname, arms and designation."
629:
68:. The private chapel, once completed in 1870, was described by the British press as "one of the first and most beautiful oratories in the kingdom". Two wings of the castle and the adjoining private chapel were destroyed by fire in 1926, but the damage was mostly restored.
135:, and had also incurred debts. This resulted in the castle passing to a third branch of the Gordon family around 1753, although the exact date is unknown. The new proprietor John Gordon (1695–1769) was of obscure origins. He was an Edinburgh merchant as well as a
123:
of Cluny. By 1636 the cost of building the castle combined with other financial difficulties caused ownership of the lands to be transferred. The castle had various owners, probably creditors, until 1680, when it became the property of Robert Gordon, of the
82:
As of 2024 it remains privately owned by Cosmo Linzee Gordon of Cluny who has employed craftsmen to complete extensive renovations. It is not open to the public but corporate events are hosted there and weddings are held in the chapel.
295:
estimated repairs would be between £60,000 to £70,000. The chapel was reconstructed to resemble its former state, minus the original artistry of
Cottier (now deceased), and some remodelling of the courtyard wings was carried out.
249:
was completed in 1604; there is a commemorative stone inscribed "Thom. Gordon a Cluny miles me fecit 1604". The Master Mason Ian (John) Bell (Bel) is attributed with the construction of the original Cluny Castle and nearby
290:
Significant parts of the castle were gutted by fire in
September 1926. The main house was not damaged but two wings and the chapel were consumed by flames. Restoration work was promptly undertaken – a report in the
164:, later an army colonel and a member of Parliament, inherited Cluny and the remainder of the properties plus £30,000. No money had been spent on the estate during the years it was owned by Charles Gordon.
959:
539:
214:. After Lady Cathcart's death in 1932, the estate passed to Captain Gordon's cousin, Charles Arthur. He adopted the name Linzee Gordon to comply with a stipulation made by Colonel Gordon in a
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by
Historic Scotland. It is assessed as "outstanding" in the work of art category and receives a high rating in the horticultural, arboricultural and silvicultural categories due to the
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76:
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were all incorporated into the design. The pre-existing tower on the west elevation was considerably heightened by the addition of a further tall square tower above it.
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the first floor of the replica wing. The ground fell away at the rear of the buildings and an extra basement level was added there. Circular towers arched windows with
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captain from 29 March 1852. The captain continued the castle renovations and improved the general policies by additions of artificial lakes and woodland.
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192:. The Colonel died in 1858; a description included in his obituaries was "the richest commoner in the northern part of the kingdom." In
151:. He did some work at the castle, although records give no indication of what was involved. Plans for a redesign were commissioned from
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56:
in
Aberdeenshire, north-east Scotland. Owned by three separate branches of Gordon families over the centuries, it was used to shelter
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The castle remains privately owned and was inherited by Cosmo Linzee Gordon, when he reached 18 years of age in 2010.
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147:(1736–1800) and he inherited the estate on his father's death in 1769. He was a politician and co-founder of the
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95:
granted the lands of Cluny (Gaelic meaning meadow or "meadows interspersed with rising grounds") to his sister
200:
132:
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is: "The enclosed (and often ornamental) grounds, park, or demesne land surrounding a large country house."
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691:
266:
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61:
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1087:"Huge Homes with Hugh Dennis, review: an enjoyable property show but heaven forfend the energy bills!"
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and are described as 'Outstanding' in their Artistic and Historical Interest by Historic Scotland.
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rebels in the mid-18th century. Extensive additions were made in 1820 to the design of architect
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The castellated and domestic architecture of Scotland from the twelfth to the eighteenth century
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years, in 1858 the estates were inherited by his natural son John, who became an Aberdeenshire
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The Gordons of Cluny from the Early Years of the Eighteenth Century Down to the Present Time
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branch of the family. It remained in the hands of this family until the mid-18th century.
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29:
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attributed Cluny to a date earlier than 1604 and suggested it was similar in design to
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115:. His son Sir Thomas Gordon (d. 1607) built the castle to replace an earlier house or
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Biographical Index of former Fellows of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1783 – 2002
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Slade gives the date of the fire as 25 September; however, the cutting from the
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119:. The lands were inherited by his son, Alexander Gordon, who became the fourth
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The definition of policies as used in Scots land terminology given in the
440:"A new era at Cluny Castle: go inside the historic Aberdeenshire mansion"
49:
1121:"North-east politicians congratulate incoming Prime Minister Liz Truss"
271:
53:
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completed. The renovations have all been funded by the family estate.
1025:
817:
75:
and has been used as a film setting. The grounds are included on the
960:"Ian Shepherd: Archaeologist who led the way in Scottish research"
189:
166:
120:
369:
Slade describes it as a house but Miller refers to a peel tower
1346:
688:"Gordon of Cluny: the working life of an Aberdeenshire Castle"
399:
dated 18 September 1926 also includes details of the fire.
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various bequests were made to his children; his eldest son
523:
155:
in 1790 and from his business partner and younger brother
749:"Cluny Castle (Category A Listed Building) (LB2949)"
715:
713:
338:
Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
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Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
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Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland
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1176:"Meet Cosmo – the 25-year-old owner of Cluny Castle"
563:"Gordon, John (c.1776–1858), of Cluny, Aberdeen"
206:Captain Gordon also died without issue in 1878.
103:. The lands passed down through the family, via
48:. Sited in the parish of Cluny, it is south of
682:
680:
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8:
1411:Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes
1401:Category A listed buildings in Aberdeenshire
989:
987:
131:The Gordons of Cluny were implicated in the
336:From 2006, the policies were listed on the
304:pile as can be found in eastern Scotland".
1148:. Luxury Scottish Weddings. Archived from
1054:"Dream property to let: take to the tower"
1014:
1012:
534:
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262:and would date from about the same time.
1265:Royal Society of Edinburgh (July 2006).
1236:Tudor Johnny: City Architect of Aberdeen
1169:
1167:
311:
236:
64:when it was in the ownership of Colonel
28:
1222:MacGibbon, David; Ross, Thomas (1887).
787:. Aberdeenshire Council. Archived from
731:
719:
669:
657:
616:
565:. History of Parliament. Archived from
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111:, to John Gordon, a younger son of the
91:On an unknown date prior to 1325, King
1214:A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland
854:
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511:
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7:
1257:Celtic Place-names in Aberdeenshire
1182:, Press & Journal, pp. 4–6
1119:Shanks, Ciaran (5 September 2022).
1085:Hogan, Michael (1 September 2022).
1052:Fitzpatrick, Maria (24 June 2009).
1019:Metalf, Charlotte (November 2011).
540:"Special collections, Ref: MS 3127"
344:trees planted in the 19th century.
143:. John Gordon's son was also named
1274:. The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
1217:, Institute of Historical Research
885:"The Lotus Case At Constantinople"
814:"Castle Fraser, Canmore ID: 18722"
630:"The richest commoner in Scotland"
419:Scotland, Historic (August 2023).
225:listed the castle as a Category A
44:replacing either a house or small
25:
524:Royal Society of Edinburgh (2006)
316:Cluny Castle with the Gordon arms
40:was originally built c.1604 as a
933:Society of Antiquaries of London
141:Cosmo Gordon, 3rd Duke of Gordon
994:Historic Environment Scotland.
958:Ralston, Ian (13 August 2009).
1174:House, Ellie (29 April 2017),
438:Cadogan, Davina (March 2023).
1:
1306:"Cluny Castle, Aberdeenshire"
745:Historic Environment Scotland
265:The Aberdeen City Architect,
245:Construction of the original
241:Cluny Castle pictured in 1966
843:MacGibbon & Ross, (1887)
1427:
1406:Listed castles in Scotland
395:is dated 16 September and
149:Royal Society of Edinburgh
33:Front view of Cluny Castle
1260:. Aberdeen Daily Journal.
1233:Miller, David G. (2007).
996:"Cluny Castle (GDL00103)"
323:Some scenes for the film
171:South Lodge, Cluny Castle
1396:Castles in Aberdeenshire
1322:10.9750/PSAS.111.454.492
1304:Slade, H Gordon (1982).
542:. University of Aberdeen
904:(subscription required)
647:(subscription required)
133:Jacobite rising of 1745
1211:Lewis, Samuel (1846),
692:University of Aberdeen
317:
242:
172:
34:
1198:Bulloch, John Malcolm
315:
240:
170:
105:Adam Gordon of Huntly
32:
1254:Milne, John (1912).
308:Twenty-first century
283:parapets above bold
18:Cluny, Aberdeenshire
1368: /
1066:on 25 February 2014
1059:The Daily Telegraph
1033:on 30 November 2013
972:on 20 December 2013
893:. 18 September 1926
71:It is a Category A
1372:57.1983°N 2.5059°W
1291:on 24 January 2013
1152:on 1 February 2014
939:on 2 February 2014
824:on 3 December 2013
771:, pp. 454–455
698:on 3 December 2013
569:on 3 February 2014
561:Farrell, Stephen.
495:, pp. 458–459
318:
256:MacGibbon and Ross
243:
173:
35:
1246:978-1-904440-97-0
782:"Midmar Old Kirk"
660:, pp. 40, 49
425:Historic Scotland
223:Historic Scotland
16:(Redirected from
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1293:. Retrieved
1286:the original
1267:
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1239:. Librario.
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1190:Bibliography
1179:
1154:. Retrieved
1150:the original
1140:
1130:15 September
1128:. Retrieved
1125:aberdeenlive
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857:, p. 97
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1316:: 454–492.
1156:30 November
1070:11 November
1037:30 November
976:30 November
943:30 November
828:15 November
798:15 November
702:10 November
573:15 November
546:15 November
329:, starring
281:crenellated
277:hood moulds
153:Robert Adam
126:Gordonstoun
66:John Gordon
1390:Categories
1360:57°11′54″N
897:1 December
640:1 December
352:References
285:corbelling
267:John Smith
182:South Uist
117:peel tower
62:John Smith
46:peel tower
1363:2°30′21″W
1330:257742255
1099:0307-1235
890:The Times
634:The Times
407:Citations
397:The Times
326:The Queen
195:The Times
186:Benbecula
1200:(1911).
1001:26 March
754:26 March
302:baronial
113:3rd Earl
107:and the
58:Jacobite
50:Monymusk
1295:15 July
1180:Y&L
272:granite
216:codicil
201:Militia
87:History
54:Sauchen
1328:
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1097:
1026:Tatler
818:RCAHMS
444:Tatler
137:factor
1326:S2CID
1289:(PDF)
1272:(PDF)
792:(PDF)
785:(PDF)
357:Notes
190:Barra
178:North
157:James
121:laird
1297:2016
1276:ISBN
1241:ISBN
1158:2013
1132:2022
1106:2022
1095:ISSN
1072:2013
1039:2013
1003:2019
978:2013
945:2013
899:2013
830:2013
800:2013
756:2019
704:2013
642:2013
575:2013
548:2013
279:and
188:and
180:and
162:John
97:Mary
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380:OED
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