Blairs College: Doocot, Maryculter

Square-plan, squared granite rubble with pinnings. Birch lined pyramided slate roof terminating in turret entry now collapsed. (Historic Scotland)

December 2007: External inspection reveals the doocot to be unsecured and appears to be neglected. All that remains is the durable granite masonry and unusual brick nesting boxes which include brick backs. The Blairs College estate is subject to an application for Outline Planning Permission for Redevelopment of Residential Institution to Hotel Conference Centre and Ancillary Buildings and Steadings into Residential/Holiday Accommodation, Residential Development (220 Dwellings and 60 Affordable Dwellings), Formation of Golf Course, Equestrian Centre, all Together with Associated Landscaping and Infrastructure. Ref: APP/2006/4973

April 2008: BBC News website reports that outline planning permission for redevelopment of the site has been granted by Aberdeenshire Council, the application will now go to the Scottish Government for a final decision.

August 2010: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit. The building continues to deteriorate.

8 August 2013: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as perviously.

31 October 2013: The Scotsman reports on proposals for an enabling development of 44 new houses, within a former quarry, to finance the construction of a new bridge crossing over the River Dee. The construction of the bridge was one of the conditions attached to the redevelopment of the overall college site, in 2010. The article notes the redevelopment of the overall site has yet to commence.