Notice

Following a review of the Buildings at Risk Register we have paused the Register while we consider options for its future.
The website will remain accessible and searchable during this time, but it will not be updated and we’re not accepting nominations for additions to the Register. If you need to contact us about the BARR please email hmenquiries@hes.scot

Read the review report here and you can find out more about why we have paused the BARR on our news centre.

Pitfour House Boathouse, Pitfour Estate

+ -
Ordnance Survey licence number AC0000807262. All rights reserved. © Copyright and database right 2025. Public Sector Viewing Terms

General Details and Location

Category
AT RISK
Name of Building
Pitfour House Boathouse
Other Name(s)
The Boathouse
Address
Pitfour Estate
Locality
Postcode
Planning Authority
Divisional Area
Reference No
3354
Listing Category
C
OS Grid Ref
NJ 97486 48860
Location Type
Rural
HS Reference No
16067

Description

Single-storey artificial rubble-built ruin with gothic arches; granite dressings; landing area for boats.

Pitfour House was demolished in 1927-30 The buildings are probably all the work of John Smith who is credited with the house (reconstructed c 1809; fire damaged 1820, reinstated with further additions 1821-2) in the A.P.S.D. and his Aberdeen Journal Obituary. (Historic Scotland) The Blenheim of Buchan. One of the great estates of north-east Scotland, first built by the eccentric Ferguson family in the early 18th century. The house, extended probably by John Smith circa 1809, and subsequently, was demolished in 1927. Much survives of the estate, mainly because the Ferguson's spared little expense.

The creation of a loch caused a great falling out between the Fergusons of Pitfour and the Russells of nearby Aden. The latter claimed that it would cause the flooding of Aden. (C.McKean)
Building Dates
Probaby before 1820.
Architects
Probably John Smith

Category of Risk and Development History

Condition
Poor
Category of Risk
Moderate
Exemptions to State of Risk
Field Visits
13/02/2008, 03/11/2010, 22/10/2013
Development History
February 2008: External inspection finds that although built as a ruin, the masonry needs maintenance if the exposed wallheads and open jointed masonry is not to lead to structural damage.
November 2010: External inspection finds no significant change from the previous site visit.
21 September 2012: Full Planning Permission for restoration of the Temple and three listed bridges within the estate was lodged April 2012 ref: APP/2011/4145/ 4146. The application is seeking permission for the 9 new build plots within the landscape to cross fund the restoration of the listed buildings with the creation of new roads and footpaths to form an extension to Aden Country Park. The Folly is understood to not form part of the restoration plan as it is not within the ownership of the applicant.
22 October 2013: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition seen previously.

Guides to Development

Conservation Area
Planning Authority Contact
PAC Telephone Number

Availability

Current Availability
Unknown
Appointed Agents
Price
Occupancy
Vacant
Occupancy Type
N/A
Present/Former Uses
Name of Owners
Unverified see FAQ on ascertaining ownership
Type of Ownership
Unknown

Information Services

Additional Contacts/Information Source
Bibliography
Banff and Buchan an illustrated architectural guide Charles McKean p 90-93
Online Resources
Classification
Ancillary Buildings
Original Entry Date
14-MAR-08
Date of Last Edit
26/05/2014