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Home , Aboyne, Braemar Castle, Crathie Kirk, Deeside Railway, Forest of Birse, Royal Deeside Railway

Doors Open Days Deeside

Sat 19 & Sun 20 September 2015

www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk 1 Welcome to Doors Open Days Aberdeenshire 2015! Welcome to Doors Open Days Aberdeenshire 2015! This year’s event focuses on the Deeside area from Crathes to with 27 properties taking part, many of which are taking part for the first time. This year’s event is happening over two days: Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th September with a variety of venues opening their doors for free; a restored train station at Milton of Crathes, two historic Deeside Estates at Ballogie and , Braemar , and Fire Stations, some of Deeside’s finest ecclesiastical buildings and many more.

There will be tours and exhibitions and refreshments at many of the venues hosted by the local communities. In Braemar, the Local History Group will be operating walking tours of the village. We hope you will enjoy your visits to the variety of properties on view for this exciting and unique event.

Doors Open Days is ’s largest free annual architectural event. It is coordinated nationally by the Scottish Civic Trust and is part of European Heritage Days, a joint initiative of the Council of and the European Union alongside Scottish Archaeology Month, coordinated by Archaeology Scotland). Both events are supported by Historic Scotland.

2 Doors Open Days Info Hub at KEY The Victory Hall Come and visit us at our Event Hub at The Disabled Access Victory Hall, . In addition to finding our more information about what to see and do Disabled Parking over the Doors Open Days weekend there will be a variety of heritage-related displays in the Disabled Toilet hall including Visit Royal Deeside, Mid-Deeside Limited, the North East Scotland Preservation Toilets Trust, in addition to the Council’s Built Heritage Team, Archaeology, Local History and Archive Refreshments services and many others. Opening Times Parking Some buildings are taking part all weekend and others, for one day only, and these may be subject to last minute changes, so please check the opening times of each building you wish to visit and for up to date information, please check the websites detailed on the back page.

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© Crown copyright and database right 2015. All rights reserved. Ordnance Survey 0100020767.

3 CRATHES 3 The Colourbothy Weaving 1 Milton of Crathes Station Studio East Steading, Hirn, Banchory, AB31 5QT Royal , Milton of Crathes, Banchory, AB31 5QH Opening Times: Saturday: Guided tour only at 17.15 Opening Times: Sat: 11am – 4:15pm, Sunday: CLOSED Sun: 11am – 4:15pm To book please call 01330 844257 or email [email protected]. Approximately 30 minutes duration 1900 (Restored 2013-15), Great North of Scotland Railway, C Listed. This original Great North of Scotland Railway Company station was originally located at on the 6 mile 2012 (Conversion), Glen A Strachan. An spur line from . It was used extensively inspirational but simple studio, designed to for passenger and goods traffic until the line make full use of natural daylight and to create was closed in 1965. After closure the building a bright working weaving environment. At 64 was used as offices or storage for several square metres, built of wood, glass and modern businesses before being bought and dismantled materials, the external appearance and colour in 2013 and rebuilt at Milton of Crathes. Entry scheme make a bold statement. Situated in the into the Station building is free. Visitors can view garden, the space invokes a sense of stillness displays of railway photos and memorabilia as and connection with nature. Hand-woven well as the working Deeside Railway line steam textiles will be on display and there will be a and diesel trains. Train rides will be available demonstration of the craft. Please note that a throughout the day for a charge. Refreshments visit to The Colourbothy is on the guided tour will also available for a small charge. only, which must be booked in advance. BANCHORY BALLOGIE ESTATE

2 Banchory Fire Station 4 The Seedbox at Ballogie Walled Garden Grampian Fire & Rescue Service, Glebe Park, Banchory, AB31 5YB Walled Garden, Ballogie, AB34 5DT Opening Times: Saturday: 11am – 3pm, Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm, Sunday: CLOSED Sunday: CLOSED Teas & coffees will be available for a small charge Visiting Banchory Fire Station is a chance for Circa 1750, B listed. Ballogie Walled Garden members of the public to see inside, view the forms part of the Ballogie Estate and is U-plan equipment and meet station personnel who will in shape, with a double terraced garden, open be able to explain what the equipment is and to the south-west. It is believed to be late 18th what it is used for as well as being on hand to Century. The walled garden is carefully terraced answer any questions, you might have. There will to incorporate the gentle slope of the hill. The be two practical demonstrations using hydraulic walls survive in near perfect condition. Having rescue equipment to remove parts of a vehicle stood empty since 1992 the garden is now at 12.00 and 14.00 hours. No booking required. back in use by The Seed Box, a horticultural training and outdoor therapy service for adults Please Note: During the Doors Open Days event, the fire appliances will still be available for emergency with additional support needs. There will be calls so the public should be aware of fire station photographs of the continuing re-development personnel responding to a fire call and appliances of the garden over the last two years and being mobilised at short notice. 4 information about the proposed renovation ABOYNE of the old lean-to greenhouse. Teas & coffees available for a small charge. 6 World Horse Welfare, Belwade Farm 5 Ballogie Home Farm and House Dess, Aboyne, AB34 5BJ Ballogie, Aboyne, AB34 5DS Opening Times: Saturday: 11am – 4pm, Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm Sunday: 11am – 4pm Sunday: TBC Guided tours available both days without Guided tours will be operating starting from booking at 11.30am and 4.30pm – the Walled Garden at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and Other times by arrangement please call: 3pm. No booking required. 01339885398 (Ballogie House only)

The impressive Home Farm (Category C listed) World Horse Welfare Belwade Farm Rescue was constructed in a court-yard plan from and Rehoming Centre in Aboyne is one of Royal pink coursed granite rubble with additions and Deeside’s most inspiring visitor attractions. alterations by Walker and Beattie in the late The rolling hills are home to around 65 once- 19th century. The current Ballogie House was abused or neglected horses who are at various built in 1982 in a beautiful setting overlooking stages of their rehabilitation and the farm’s the of . Guided tours will commence impressive contemporary Visitor Centre sits at the Walled Garden through the farm, taking amongst traditional farm buildings which have visitors to the listed Home Farm steading and nestled in the dramatic landscape for decades. up to Ballogie House, where visitors can go Adjacent to the Visitor Centre building, you inside. The talk will give visitors information of can walk round the Belwade Stones; a stone the history of the estate and the buildings on it circle built in 2013 from stones donated by and describing the Estate’s current and future the Invercauld Estate. For further information development plans. please visit www.worldhorsewelfare.org/farm/ belwade-farm Visitor Centre Bistro will be open from 11am till 4pm for meals and refreshments.

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Contains OS data © Crown copyright and database rights 2015

5 7 The Aboyne & Glen Tanar 8 Aboyne Memorial Hall (Victory Hall) Road, Aboyne, AB34 5HE & Doors Open Days Hub Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm, Ballater Road, Aboyne, AB34 5HY Sunday: CLOSED Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm, Sunday: 10am – 4pm 1842, John Smith, B listed. Aboyne Parish

Church was constructed in 1842 in the Check website for refreshments Perpendicular Gothic style on the site of the original church which was erected in 1761. There is a vault under the church which dates back to 1762 and formed part of the original church. Visitors will be able to go down into the vault which is normally closed to the public. There will be displays about the and the history of Aboyne-Dinnet Church, films will be showing the refurbishment of the church in 2007, Bell Project of 2012, and Hall Extension Project of 1994.

9 St Thomas Episcopal Church Ballater Road, Aboyne, AB34 5NJ Opening Times: Saturday: 2pm – 4pm, Sunday: 11:15am – 4pm

1909, Fryers & Penman, A listed. Designed for 1920, A Marshall MacKenzie, C listed. Aboyne George Coats, cotton thread manufacturer in & Glen Tanar Memorial Hall, known as the Paisley, who became Baron of Glentanar, the ‘Victory Hall’, is set in the heart of the village of church is a Category A listed building built Aboyne, Royal Deeside. It is a substantial granite in the Gothic style. The design is based on a building of character, both inside and out and is 13th Century church in Leicestershire. Inside an unusually grand war memorial building. The the church the fine timber carving on the building contains stained glass windows and organ case and windows is attributed to the panels bearing the names of those who fell for William Morris workshop. The aisle windows their country, and on the outside is the inscribed have 15th to 17th Century fragments of British foundation stone. Inside, in the large Main Hall, and Continental glass, depicting heraldry and the roof has decorative open timber purlins and saints, arranged by Morris and Co. The bells trusses; the massive timbers having come from ringing will be rung at intervals. The Church will the forest of Glen Tanar. In the Formaston Room be decorated for Harvest Festival with a family is the Formaston Stone, an ancient Pictish cross treasure hunt to take part in. A Harvest Festival slab stone with interlaced carving, a Pictish Service will take place at 11:15am on the mirror symbol and Ogham inscription. Sunday to which visitors are welcome to attend. The Church will remain open on Sunday until 4pm after the service. See website www.stthomasaboyne.org for more information.

6 The following sites are worth a visit as you travel along Deeside, they are all Scheduled 10 Coull Kirk Ancient Monuments. These sites are managed by Historic Scotland, access is free Coull, Aboyne, AB34 4TS and the sites are unmanned. Opening Times: Saturday: 10am-4pm, Sunday: 11am-4pm 12 Culsh Earth House 1 mile north-east of Tarland on the B9119.

A well-preserved underground passage, with 1796, B listed. The Coull Kirk was built in the roofing slabs intact over the large chamber and Neo-Classical style incorporating the 17th entrance. Culsh Earth House is around 14.5m century gable end and birdcage belfry of the long and 1.8m wide and is about 2000 years previous church. The site of the early church old. It is built of large granite boulders and still is closely linked to the remains of Coull Castle, has its roof of massive flagstones intact which is a Scheduled Monument, 300 metres south east of the churchyard. Coull Kirk is 13 Tomnaverie Stone Circle retained as a place of worship for the summer months when the weather is warmer and the 1 mile south of Tarland on the B9094. days are longer, as the building is not supplied Stone circles are common throughout the from mains electricity. The interior of the Coull British Isles, but the type of circle represented Kirk is lit by oil and gas lamps, which give the at Tomnaverie is found only in north-east building little more than a warm glow! Scotland. There are around 100 of them. Their characteristic feature is a large stone set on 11 Parish Church its side (recumbent), flanked by two upright (St Moulags) stones, usually on the south or south-west arc Cromar Drive,Tarland, AB34 4UF of the circle. Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm, Sunday: 11am-4pm 14 Peel Ring 0.5 miles South West of Lumphanan off the A980. 1869 (Spire 1889), William Smith, B listed. This great earthwork of the 13th-century Cromar Parish Church, also known as St was the site of a fortified residence, possibly Moulag’s, was built in the Gothic style and a hunting lodge of the Durward family. On 21 is very large and striking for a small village; July 1296, during his advance northward into the south principal elevation is particularly Moray, Edward I of England made a detour to noteworthy. The south face was built with fine Lumphanan to receive the submission of Sir ashlar granite, while the side elevations and rear John de Melville, lord of Raith, in Fife. The castle gable are built with lower quality tooled granite seems to have been abandoned shortly after blocks. Architect William Smith was an this time. The mound was briefly reoccupied in contemporary of Alexander Ellis, whose the 1480s when Thomas Charteris, of Kinfauns influence is visible. Oversized for its location, in Perthshire, built a modest two-storey this highly unusual piece of Victorian Gothic residence on the summit. This was known as superseded the 18th century Tarland Old Parish Ha’ton House, and now stands as foundations Church in the village square. only.

7 GLEN TANAR ESTATE 19 Glenmuick Parish Church 15 16 17 Church Square, Ballater, AB35 5NE Opening Times: Sat: 10am – 4pm, St Lesmo’s Chapel, Glen Tanar Sun: 10am – 4pm Ballroom & Estate Office Public toilets with disabled Glen Tanar Estate, Nr Aboyne, AB34 5EU toilet adjacent to the church. Opening Times: Saturday: 10am – 4pm, 1873, B listed. Glenmuick Parish Church is a Sunday: striking landmark in the centre of Ballater. It was also the place around which the town At the Ballroom developed. The architect J. Russell Mackenzie (donation to charity) was from Aberdeen and most of his work is seen The Glen Tanar Estate was originally a deer in the North East. The church was designed to forest which was part of the have seating for 600 with 100 in the gallery. Estate. In 1860 Sir William Cunliffe Brookes, a The church organ was built and installed by Manchester banker and MP bought the estate Messrs Forster & Andrews of Hull in 1889. Of from the 10th Marquis of Huntly. George particular interest are the four stained glass Truefitt was the architect and 250 masons were windows dating from late 19th century to employed to construct the buildings which are present day, in memory of four individuals with all built of locally quarried granite. The buildings strong connections to Ballater and Balmoral. on the estate were erected from 1869 onwards. Visitors are invited to view the Chapel of Saint 20 Ballater Fire Station Lesmo, the Glen Tanar Ballroom and the Estate Anderson Road, Ballater, AB35 5QW Offices. Tours will be offered and no advanced Opening Times: Saturday: CLOSED, Sunday: booking is required. For more information on 11am - 3pm guided tours of the properties during the event, please email [email protected] Limited parking at Station For information about the Estate and detailed Ballater fire station provides fire cover for the maps, please visit www.glentanar.co.uk community of Ballater and the surrounding area. Ballater is a retained station and is BALLATER crewed by local members of the community who are on 24 hour call. The station has one 18 The Deeside Inn 10 crew appliance and a specialist forestry 13–15 Victoria Road, Ballater, AB35 5RA unit. The station is also trained in water rescue. Opening Times: Sat: Open all day Members of the public will be able to view all Sun: Open all day the equipment, appliances and have access to the station building and also speak to the local crews about the role of a retained firefighter. The Inn will be open as usual, visitors are welcome to visit ’s old toilet, this was originally designed and installed at Ballater Station waiting room in 1886 as the conditions were described as “rather primitive”. The thunder box found a new home at the Deeside Inn when the station was de-commissioned.

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21 Crathie, Ballater, AB35 5UL

Opening Times: Please check website Access arrangements: Please check website 1893, A Marshall MacKenzie, B listed. Crathie Kirk was designed in a cruciform plan in the Scots Gothic style with distinctive steeply pitched gabled nave and parapetted crossing tower with splay footed spire. Crathie church is a well-designed compact church which is distinguished by having had connections with the Royal Family since its conception. The finely decorated interior is unusual compared to other Church of Scotland churches and shows similarities to more decorative Anglican AUCHTAVAN TOWNSHIP Churches. The foundation stone was laid in 22 1893 by Queen Victoria. Queen Mother’s Picnic Cottage, Threshing Mill and Cottage Glen Fearder, Crathie, AB35 5TQ Opening Times: Saturday: CLOSED, Sunday: 11am-3pm

Parking in layby Late 18th Century, A and B listed. Auchtavan Township – cottage, threshing mill and Queen Mother’s Cottage, situated at the head of Glen Fearder (which means the ‘Glen of High Water’) and overlooking , Auchtavan is built on land purchased from the Earls of Mar by the Farquharsons of Invercauld, who in turn sold the Balmoral Estate Lands to Queen Victorian and Prince Albert. The buildings are a rare survival of a traditional Highland clachan or fermtoun. This is an opportunity to explore how the community that once inhabited the settlement actually lived. A guide will be available on-site for any queries you may have. Auchtavan is situated about 6 miles north-east of Braemar. Cars can be parked in the lay-by opposite the turn-off, marked Aberarder. It is then a 2.5 mile uphill walk to the settlement. The track passes through birch woods and open and can be quite rough, walking shoes and outdoor clothing are recommended. See www.auchtavan.com for further details. 9 BRAEMAR 24 St Margaret’s Episcopal Church Walking tours of Braemar village will be taking Castleton Terrace, Braemar, AB35 5ZR place at 11am and 3pm Saturday and Sunday by the Braemar Local History Group. Please meet Opening Times: Saturday: 10am-12pm & outside the Invercauld Arms Hotel, Main Street, 1pm-4pm, Sunday: 10am- for the tour. No advanced booking required. 12pm & 1pm-4pm The tour will visit the buildings taking part in the event in the village as well other buildings and on street & public car park opposite sites of interest including , the Tollhouse, the weather observatory gifted to the village by Prince Albert in 1855 and the Royal Pavilion at the village Park. It is a great opportunity to learn more about this fascinating and historic village at the foot of the Cairngorm Mountains.

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St Margaret’s Episcopal Church stands on a prominent, raised site, overlooking the village of Braemar. It was built by Sir John Ninian Comper 25 over 8 years from 1899 to 1907 in the Gothic 26 24 Revival style. This church is considered to be one of the finest example of his work, reflected 23 Contains OS data © Crown copyright and in its Category A listing. The church was built to database rights 2015 house congregation of tourists from England during summer season who visited the village 23 Braemar Church in growing numbers as Queen Victoria came to Clunie Bank Road, Braemar Balmoral and after the expansion of the railway in the mid-19th century. Opening Times: Please check website Access arrangements: A group from the local community is working with the Scottish Redundant Churches Trust 1869, R Lamb, B listed. The present Parish (SRCT) to restore and develop the former St Church (known as the West Church) began life Margaret’s Church as a hub for the visual and 1843 as a wooden building, to be replaced by performing arts in Upper Deeside. The church is a stone building in 1845. It was built as the currently closed to the public so this is a great meeting place for the break away group which opportunity to visit the building, to view the seceded from the Church of Scotland to form beautifully crafted stained glass windows and to the Free Church in 1843. The Church was built find out more about the Arts Hub project with in 1870, the design reflected a return to an the additional attraction of access to the tower earlier era of church architecture in the spirit of giving stunning views over the village and to the Gothic revival. This was a reaction to the plain Cairngorms. A guide will be available to answer “barn like” structures which were typical of any questions and children will be able to take earlier church buildings. Such was the character part in a special quiz for a prize. of the new church that it inspired the of Crathie to advocate doing likewise, and with Tours to the top of the tower will be led at 11am the help of Queen Victoria, the church there was and at 3pm. To book a place on a tour, please demolished and rebuilt in1895. call the SRCT on 0131 563 5135. 10 25 St Andrew’s RC Church 27 St Andrew’s Terrace, Braemar Braemar, AB35 5XR Opening Times: Saturday: CLOSED, Sunday: Opening Times: Saturday: 10am - 5pm 10am – 4pm Sunday: CLOSED

Parking on street All rooms in the Castle are accessed by a spiral stone staircase so the Castle is not suitable 1839, B listed. This Church is an early for anyone with mobility difficulties. example of a Gothic Revival Catholic church, incorporating an attached presbytery (built in 1628, A listed. Constructed in 1628 by the 1864). The building was constructed under powerful to replace the crumbling the patronage of Lady Carmarthen, who was Kindrochit Castle, Braemar Caste was also married to the 7th Duke of Leeds who rented originally used as a hunting lodge. The Castle Old Mar Lodge from the Earl of Fife. It was built has links to three Jacobite rebellions, with at cost of £1126 and the stones came from a government troops garrisoned there in the quarry within 15 metres of the building. The 1700s. The castle is a 5 Storey, ‘L’ Plan structure stained glass window depicts Scottish Saints with a star shaped curtain wall. It is prominently and were gifted to the Church by James Calder situated on a raised mound on the south side of and were made by Louis Grosse & Co. of the River Dee and can be seen as you come in to and Bruges. The newly installed Pictish font will Braemar from the east. There will be a Jacobite be available for viewing and a guide will be on Exhibition and Braemar Highland Gathering hand to answer any questions you may have Exhibition and film footage from 1952. Castle about the building. tours will be subject to the usual charge, however there will be free access to view the 26 Kindrochit Castle newly opened ‘well’ and free refreshments available. Balnellan Road, Braemar Castle tours will be subject to the usual charge, Opening Times: Sat: Open all day, however there will be free access to view the Sun: Open all day newly opened ‘well’ and free refreshments Parking and toilets at public car park opposite available. Kindrochit Castle as it stands was constructed in the early 1300s. The castle was then named Ceann-drochit meaning Bridge Head. It is believed that King Robert II spent time here to enjoy the hunting on the Braes of Mar. Subsequently King Robert III gifted the castle to Sir Malcolm Drummond, his brother-in-law. He built the family tower on the site in 1390, making it the fifth largest castle in Scotland at the time. Today the castle, a Scheduled Ancient Monument, is cared for by an independent voluntary group called Friends of Kindrochit. The ruins are open for all to explore following a recent restoration project funded by Aberdeenshire Council and the Authority. Wherever possible, the site has been designed to be accessible to all, with a flat, level path leading around the main elements. For your safety, please do not climb on the wall heads. 11 Further information & Updates Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this leaflet is correct at time of print. For up to date information on our venue listings and for any changes to the programme, updates, amendments and additions, please look at the national website, Aberdeenshire Council’s website and on our Facebook Page at the addresses below. www.doorsopendays.org.uk www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/doorsopendays www.facebook.com/AberdeenshireDoorsOpenDays This leaflet will also available to download at these sites. Location maps for all venues will be on the Aberdeenshire Area Pages available at www.doorsopendays.org.uk If you would like any further information about the event or have any queries, please email us at [email protected] The organisation of this year’s event in Aberdeenshire, together with the production of this leaflet has been through Aberdeenshire Doors Open Day Coordinators Frances Swanston and Cheryl Roberts of the Environment Team, with support from the Economic Development Team, both at Aberdeenshire Council. Our gratitude and thanks go to all those who have generously agreed to open their buildings to make this event possible. Please note that visitors entering buildings do so at their own risk. Children must be accompanied. None of the participating organisations or buildings is responsible for any accidents of damage that might be incurred. The owners/custodians of the buildings retain the right to refuse access. Share you experiences of Doors Open Day Aberdeenshire We would love to hear from you about the event, the buildings you visited and your feedback. Please send us your photos of your favourite buildings (exterior only) and share your experiences over the weekend by posting and uploading them to our Facebook site.

www.facebook.com/AberdeenshireDoorsOpenDays Produced by Aberdeenshire Council GDT23615 July 2015 Council GDT23615 by Aberdeenshire Produced