Old House of Fetternear, Fetternear

Roofless, burnt 1919. Oldest part 3-storey tower house 20' x 36' with circular S.W. angle tower, containing stair, ground floor vaulted, vault partly removed later, built late 16th century for John Leslie 8th Baron Balquhain. Made part of large near-symmetrical mansion 1691-3 for Count Patrick Leslie, 3-storey, 6-window with circular angle towers (that on E belonging to original house) with 1-window W. wing to balance the original tower house. Small ground floor openings, large openings grooved for glass 1st and 2nd, fine 1693 armorial panel over centre door and IHS-MRA/POL/MOI/1691 above. Reconstructed early 19th century, towers raised, corbelled and crenellated parapets added to towers and main block, centre N. wing gutted and now staircase inserted, James Massie architect; 2-storey wing with bow on E. added N. of staircase, dated 1818; W. wing and cross wing 2-storey added c. 1850

Of the palace built by Bishop Ramsay in 1226 and extended by Bishop Kynimund in 1330 there are virtually no remains. The estate was in possession of the bishops until 1550 when a lease (converted 16 years later to a gift) was granted to John Leslie 8th Baron Balquhain. The sundial now stands in the garden of the new house (formerly laundry), copper dial by James Villers 1798 on granite baluster. (Historic Scotland)

March 1991: SCT understands the house has stood unoccupied since fire in 1919. The owner has recently carried out some stabilisation works. October 1995: The owner reiterates that he is keen to see the building restored. December 1996: The house is shored up and safe, and archaeological works are currently taking place nearby. 2 current proposals both involve the restoration of the house and stable block. November 1998: SCT understands the owner has drafted a scheme for future consolidation works and is presently in negotiations with Historic Scotland. January 2000: Local planners report that new owners are seeking to restore the later wing and consolidate the remaining ruins. The Fetternear Trust has been established and is now to apply for Heritage Lottery funding. Vegetation has been cleared from the structure. December 2002: The Annual Report of the Architetural Heritage Fund reports that the Fetternear Trust's Stage 1 grant application was unsuccessful, though the Trust is now considering a less ambitious staged programme of restoration to include the consolidation of the earlier build. 16 May 2003: The Donside Piper reports that the Heritage Lottery Fund has awarded grant aid of £36,500. The money will pay for the preparation of indicative costings, the re-evaluation of required works, and the formulation of access and audience development plans. It is hoped to open the house to the public, and a historic landscape survey is to be conducted, partly funded by Scottish Natural Heritage. January 2004: Local planners report no change in the physical condition of the house, though the owners are currently submitting proposals for consolidation. April 2004: The owners report that the building is continuing to deteriorate yearly. They are currently preparing a Stage 1 Heritage Lottery Fund application for the consolidation of the earlier parts and the mothballing of the 19th century additions with a view to eventually opening the building to the public. October 2006: The owner of the house reports that following inconclusive discussions with the HLF over the scope of work which they might fund that they applying for an enabling development in conjunction with another project on the estate. If successful then another application will be made.

June 2008: External inspection finds the unprotected masonry rapidly becoming unstable and liable to collapse.

December 2008: The Aberdeen Evening Express reports that plans have been lodged by Fetternear Trust for an enabling development of sustainable housing which would fund restoration of the main house with future use as a community leisure facility and hotel.

July 2010: The Press and Journal reports plans are being re-submitted to restore the house, preserve the ruins of the former bishop‘s palace, create a visitor centre, community leisure ctr & swimming pool, along with 77 new houses.

October 2010: External inspection finds no significant change from the last site visit.

May 2011: Listed Building Consent for Repairs and alterations to building was lodged ref: APP/2011/1731. Planning Permission in Principle for Erection of 77 houses (across 5 sites), erection of pedestrian and cycle bridge across River Don, conversion of Home Farm steadings to form business and training centre, erection of residential block to form ancillary tourism and hotel accommodation, renovation of caretakers cottage, erection of new leisure facility and swimming pool (at Belmont Car Centre site), erection of visitor centre for the Bishop's Palace and stabilisation and renovation works to the Bishop's Palace was lodged May 2010. ref: APP/2010/2075.

1 March 2013: Full Planning Permission for re-development of the estate were refused July 2012. Decision upheld on appeal Oct 2012 ref: APP/2010/2075.

21 August 2013: External inspection finds the buildings remain in much the same conditon as seen previously. Trees are beginning to engulf the interior. Loose masonry is a continuing concern.