Stracathro House

THE GARDEN HISTORY SOCIETY IN SCOTLAND

SURVEY OF GARDENS & DESIGNED LANDSCAPES RECORDING FORM

A. GENERAL SITE INFORMATION (Expand boxes as necessary) A1 SITE NAME:

Stracathro House

This is a site in multiple occupancy, involving three owners. The house and its immediate setting are privately owned, as is the walled garden and its immediate surroundings. The park is in the ownership of the NHS. The agricultural land of the former estate is also in private ownership but does not form part of this record.

Access to the immediate setting of the house was not possible. However, aspects of it in view of the public road have been recorded, as have all the historical data in the public domain. Access to the walled garden and its immediate surroundings was granted and the NHS land is open to the public. Both of these components of the estate were visited and have been recorded in full.

A2 ALTERNATIVE NAMES OR SPELLINGS:

 Stracathrow; Straithcathrow; Straitheathrow – Register of the Great Seal of Scotland  Strukatherach; Stracathirach; Stracathrath; Stracathroc – Groome’s Gazetteer of 1896  Strickathroe – Ochterlony 1682  Strakatherach; Stracathirach – Jervise; Epitaphs & Inscriptions  Stacathro – Map of 1678 by Robert Edward: Angusia Provincia Scotiae  Strickatro – Roy’s Military Survey c.1747  Strickathrow – New Statistical Account  Strickathro – Map of 1850 by John Thomson: Northern Part of Angus Southern Part

The original spelling was probably Stracatherach which Dr Cameron of Fettercairn interprets as ‘the valley of the warriors’; ‘the mossy valley of bogs and marshes’ or the ‘Strath where the King fought’. (D. Orr 2012)

Possibly ‘meeting of three waters’ (North Esk, Cruick & West Water) – Pat Melville- Evans, 2012.

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A3 ADDRESS AND POSTCODE:

DD9 7QA

A4 GRID REFERENCE:

NO 626 656

A5 LOCAL AUTHORITY:

Angus Council (Historical County – Forfarshire)

A6 PARISH:

Stracathro

A7 INCLUDED IN AN INVENTORY OF GARDENS & DESIGNED LANDSCAPES IN SCOTLAND: NO

A8 TYPE OF SITE: (eg. Landscaped estate, private garden, public park/gardens, corporate/institutional landscape, cemetery, allotments, or other – please specify)

Stracathro was a landscaped estate. The house now stands in smaller landscaped grounds. The walled garden and immediate surrounds are owned independently of the house while part of the grounds NW of the stables are part of the Mill house now Millden Lodge. The NHS owns the former park.

A9 SITE OWNERSHIP & CONTACT: (Where site is in divided ownership please list all owners and indicate areas owned on map if possible)

The site is in multiple occupancy, involving different owners.

NHS – Almost the entire former park.

The house, stables and surroundings, purchased 2003.

The walled garden and its immediate surroundings of approximately three acres. Garden purchased c1997.

The mill and part of the grounds along with the agricultural land of the former Stracathro estate. He purchased 107 acres from NHS in 1980.

The gardener’s house and butler’s house (also known as the engineer’s house) are owned privately.

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A10 SIZE IN HECTARES OR ACRES:

What is given here is the overall size of the former estate.

 1775 – At the time of purchase by Patrick Cruickshank, 1976 acres. (Refer B4 Bibliography & Documentary Sources – Scottish Places, On-line Gazetteer)  1847 – When sold by Alexander Cruickshank, 1939 acres of which 447 were woodland, 161 parkland and pleasure ground and the remainder in farms. (Refer B2 Primary & Documentary Sources - Notice of sale of estate).  1949 203 acres sold to the government, the balance retained by the Campbells. (Refer B4 Bibliography of Published Sources - GHSS Report)

A11 PUBLIC ACCESS ARRANGEMENTS/OPENING TIMES (If any):

Those parts owned by NHS, open at all times. The walled garden is open in working hours. The house and surrounding area are private as are the grounds of Millden Lodge.

A12 NATIONAL & LOCAL AUTHORITY DESIGNATIONS: (eg. Conservation Area, Green Belt, Tree Preservation Order(s), Nature Conservation Area, etc.

None

A13 LISTED STRUCTURES:

 HB 17779 item 20 Group B 1971 Ornamental footbridge SW of Stracathro House.  HB 17780 item 21 Group C (S) 1980 Footbridge over Cruick Water and flight of steps N. of Stracathro House.  HB 17790 item 2 Group C (S) 1980 Parish churchyard  HB 17791 item 3 Group C (S) 1980 Manse of Stracathro  HB 17792 item 4 Group C (S) 1980 Manse of Stracathro - outbuildings  HB 17793 item 5 Group C (S) 1980 Manse of Stracathro – gate piers  HB 17794 item 7 Group B 1971 Millden Cottage  HB 17795 item 8 Group C (S) 1980 Millden Bridge over Cruick Water This bridge carries an unclassified public road over the Cruick Water, a tributary of the River North Esk. (Ref RCAHMS).  HB 17803 item 16 Group A 1971 Stracathro House.  HB 17804 item 17 Group A 1971 Stracathro House stables  HB 17805 item 18 Group B 1971 Stracathro House Walled Garden  HB 17806 item 19 Group C (S) 1980 Stracathro House statue E of walled garden  HB 17807 item 23 Group B 1971 Stracathro House gatepiers of Brechin North Water Bridge Road  HB 19826 item 1 Group C (S) 1980 Parish Church and Brawl’s Well Stracathro Page 3 of 42

 HB 19827 item 6 Group C (S) 1980 Manse Bridge over Cruick Water  HB 19828 item 22 Group C (S) 1980 Stracathro House Engineer’s House

The following are not listed buildings but are shown here for visibility:  RCAHMS – Icehouse OS 1:2500 map, 1974 NO66NW 54.11 6219 6551  RCAHMS – Saw mill OS 1:10,000 map, 1977 NO66NW 54.09 centred 6216 6565.

B. HISTORICAL SURVEY INFORMATION: MAPPED, DOCUMENTARY & PUBLISHED SOURCES B1 MAPPED SOURCES: (please list maps below in date order and attach copies where possible. Give the description or title, date, maker’s name if known, and for Ordnance Survey maps give the date of survey, edition number and sheet number)

1678 (Imprint) – Robert Edward: Angusia Provincia Scotiae sive The Shire of Angus. Shows Stacathro. http://maps.nls.uk/counties/view/?id=200&zoom=4&lat=4636&lon=5444&layers=B

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1745 (Imprint) – H. Moll: The Shire of Angus or Forfar. Shows Stacathro. http://maps.nls.uk/counties/view/?id=232&zoom=4&lat=3702&lon=4212&layers=B

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1776 Taylor & Skinner’s Survey and maps of the roads of North Britain or Scotland http://maps.nls.uk/atlas/taylor- skinner/view/?id=1071&zoom=4&lat=1786.5&lon=2540.5&layers=B

1794 John Ainslie: Map of the County of Forfar or Shire of Angus. http://maps.nls.uk/joins/view/?rsid=74400188&sid=74400189&mid=577&pdesc=North %20East%20section&zoom=5&lat=3358.5&lon=5485&layers=B

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1825 John Thomson: Northern Part of Angus Southern Part. http://maps.nls.uk/atlas/thomson/view/?rsid=74400151&sid=74400151&mid=516&pdesc =Top%20section&zoom=6&lat=1429.5&lon=9244.5&layers=B

1850 James Knox: Map of the Basin of the Tay shows Strickathro. http://maps.nls.uk/coasts/view- chart/?id=842&zoom=6&lat=7443.5&lon=11487&layers=B

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1862 OS 6” to mile published 1865; sheet XX http://maps.nls.uk/os/6inch/view/?sid=74426898&zoom=5&lat=1504&lon=7308&layers =B

1862 OS 6” to mile published 1865; sheet XXVII http://maps.nls.uk/os/6inch/view/?sid=74426905&zoom=4&lat=10212&lon=7168&layer s=B

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1862 OS 25” to mile published 1865; sheet XX.14 http://maps.nls.uk/os/25inch/view/?sid=74947072&zoom=4&lat=2096&lon=12392.5&la yers=B

1862 OS 25” to mile published 1865; sheet XXVII.2 http://maps.nls.uk/os/25inch/view/?sid=74478867&zoom=3&lat=8972&lon=12261.5&la yers=B

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1901 OS 6” to mile published 1903; sheet XX.SW. http://maps.nls.uk/os/6inch-2nd-and- later/view/?sid=75534233&zoom=4&lat=1724.5&lon=7048&layers=B

1901 OS 6” to mile published 1903; sheet XXVII.NW http://maps.nls.uk/os/6inch-2nd-and- later/view/?sid=75534338&zoom=4&lat=5945&lon=7552&layers=B

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1901 OS 25” to mile published 1904; sheet 020.14. http://maps.nls.uk/os/25inch-2nd-and- later/view/?jp2=82882563&zoom=4&lat=2105.5&lon=11624&layers=B

1901 OS 25” to mile published 1904; sheet 027.02 http://maps.nls.uk/os/25inch-2nd-and- later/view/?jp2=82882821&zoom=3&lat=9574.5&lon=13028&layers=B

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1922 OS 6” to mile published 1927; sheet XX.SW. http://maps.nls.uk/os/6inch-2nd-and- later/view/?sid=75534230&zoom=4&lat=1511&lon=7128&layers=B

1922 OS 6” to mile published 1927; sheet XXVII.NW http://maps.nls.uk/os/6inch-2nd-and- later/view/?sid=75534335&zoom=4&lat=5696.5&lon=7632&layers=B

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1922 OS 25” to mile published 1924; sheet 020.14. http://maps.nls.uk/os/25inch-2nd-and- later/view/?jp2=82882566&zoom=4&lat=2454&lon=12248&layers=B

1922 OS 25” to mile published 1924; sheet 027.02 http://maps.nls.uk/os/25inch-2nd-and- later/view/?jp2=82882824&zoom=3&lat=8657.5&lon=10672&layers=B

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1957 OS 1:25,000 (2 ½” to mile) published 1957 sheet NO 66. http://maps.nls.uk/os/25k-gb-1937- 61/view/?jp2=91617288&zoom=5&lat=4546.5&lon=2274&layers=B

B2 PRIMARY & DOCUMENTARY SOURCES: (plans, manuscript documents and other estate records) Please list material consulted in date order and attach copies where possible. Give description of material, and location and reference number of archival holding.

 1792 NAS RHP83 Plan of the estate of Stracathro (available on-line)  1832 NAS RHP44711 Plan of estate of Stracathro. The condition of this plan at NAS is such that it cannot be digitally copied and is not available to the public. A second copy is available in Angus, contact GHSS or Angus Archives.  1844 Aberdeen Journal; potential disposal of Stracathro House  1846 Dundee Courier; death of Alexander Cruickshank.  1847 Sale of Stracathro estate Morning Chronicle of April 6 1847.  1937Aberdeen School of Architecture (1941) – small scale plan elevations by George J. Forrest, 1937. From RCAHMS Architectural notes. Not seen.  2001 The Brechin Advertiser shows details from Buildings at Risk Register

B3 HISTORICAL ILLUSTRATIONS & PICTORIAL SOURCES: (drawings, paintings, photographs, aerial photographs etc. Include type, subject, artist, source or reference location, and date if known)

Where the images from RCAHMS are suffixed ‘CN’, this implies a colour image and is the duplicate of the previous, black and white entry. For example E38801 and E38802CN both have the same description ‘Stracathro House; General view from S’. E38801 is black and white and E38802CN is identical but in colour.

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 1848 Forfarshire Illustrated – sketch of Stracathro House.  1850c RCAHMS RAB 292/269 Engraving of Stracathro House. Titled 'Stracathro House, Co. Forfar. The seat of Sir James Campbell’. W. Gauci. Stannard & Dixon Lithrs. From ‘Views in Scotland’, an undated collection of engravings, page 269. EAFAS Bibliography.  1853-1908 Aberdeen University Archives – George Washinton Wilson collection; GB 0231 MS 3792/C3540 Stracathro House; View across park to house  1885c RCAHMS AN 3004 PO Print – photographic view by George Washington Wilson  1890c RCAHMS AN 3023 PO Print – photographic view by George Washington Wilson  1890 RCAHMS B 41527 Copy of photograph AN 3023 PO showing general view  1900 RCAHMS AN 1251 Copy of postcard showing general view  1900c Undated photograph of Stracathro House looking SSE across to the house. Cattle in behind a fence at the front circle.  1904 Stracathro House from Around the Ancient City by D.H. Edwards.  1910-1913 RCAHMS DPM 1910/16/1 to 3. Drainage plans. Sketch plans, sections and elevations as existing, showing measurements.  1914 RCAHMS DPM 1910/16/4 Plans and sections showing additions and alterations to house. Plan and section of roof light over entrance hall. Plan of stables. Now available as digital image DP003005.  1920 RCAHMS AN 2649 Stracathro; Copy of postcard showing general view  ???? Undated Angus Archives 747/65:7 Postcard of Strcathro House, Brechin. Published by Valentines.  ???? Undated Angus Archives 747/65:1 Aerial postcard of Strcathro Hospital. Published by Aerofilms (Aero Pictorial Ltd.)  1962 RCAHMS PA 229/7/25/1 Print showing view from the S of Stracathro Stables with octagonal doocot behind.  1962 RCAHMS H 93992 CS View from the south of the stable at Stracathro with doocot behind.  1962 RCAHMS H 93994 CS View from the southwest of the stable at Stracathro with the top of the doocot in the background.  1964 RCAHMS H 93993 CS View of the south front of the stable at Stracathro with doocot behind.  Undated RCAHMS AN 1380/15 Stracathro House; View of E wing from S  Undated RCAHMS AN 1380/16 Stracathro House; View of E wing from W  1964 RCAHMS AN 514 Stracathro House; View from SW  1964 RCAHMS AN 515 Stracathro House; General view  1964 RCAHMS AN 516 Stracathro House; View from SE  1964 RCAHMS AN 517 Stracathro House; Detail of main entrance portico  1964 RCAHMS AN 518 Stracathro House; Detail of portico  1964 RCAHMS AN 519 Stracathro House; View from N  1964 RCAHMS AN 520 Stracathro House; View from W  1964 RCAHMS AN 521 Stracathro House; View from N

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 1964 RCAHMS AN 522 Stracathro House; View of W wing from S  1964 RCAHMS AN 523 Stracathro House; View of E wing from S  1964 RCAHMS AN 524 Stracathro House; View from E  1964 RCAHMS AN 594 Stables; view from SW  1964 RCAHMS AN 595 Stables; view from SW  1964 RCAHMS AN 596 Stables; view from NE  1964 RCAHMS AN 597 Stables; view from N  1964 RCAHMS AN 598 Stables; view from NW  1964 RCAHMS AN 599 Walled garden; general view  1964 RCAHMS AN 600 Walled garden; view from NE  1964 RCAHMS AN 601 Walled garden; view from SE  1964 RCAHMS AN 602 Walled garden; Interior. Detail of door and fire place at Belvedere.  1964 RCAHMS AN 603 Walled garden; Interior. Detail of fire place at Belvedere.  1964 RCAHMS AN 604 Statue east of walled garden  1964 RCAHMS AN 605 Statue east of walled garden  1964 RCAHMS AN 606 Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge  1964 RCAHMS AN 607 Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge  1964 RCAHMS AN 608 Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge  1975 RCAHMS A 10212 Statue east of walled garden  1975 RCAHMS A 10213 Engineer’s House  1975 RCAHMS A 10214 Stracathro House, Footbridge And Flight Of Steps  1975 RCAHMS A 10215 Stracathro House, Footbridge And Flight Of Steps. Detail of steps.  1975 RCAHMS A 10221 Cruick water bridge  1994 GHSS – set of photographs taken in and around the walled garden  2003 RCAHMS E 38801 Stracathro House; General view from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38802 CN Stracathro House; General view from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38803 Stracathro House; General view from SSW  2003 RCAHMS E 38804 CN Stracathro House; General view from SSW  2003 RCAHMS E 38805 Stracathro House; General view from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38806 CN Stracathro House; General view from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38807 Stracathro House; Axial view from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38808 CN Stracathro House; Axial view from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38809 Stracathro House; View from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38810 CN Stracathro House; View from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38811 Stracathro House; View from SE  2003 RCAHMS E 38812 CN Stracathro House; View from SE  2003 RCAHMS E 38813 Stracathro House; View of portico from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38814 CN Stracathro House; View of portico from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38815 Stracathro House; View of portico from SE  2003 RCAHMS E 38816 CN Stracathro House; View of portico from SE  2003 RCAHMS E 38817 Stracathro House; View of portico showing Corinthian

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capitals and plaster ceiling  2003 RCAHMS E 38818 CN Stracathro House; View of portico showing Corinthian capitals and plaster ceiling  2003 RCAHMS E 38819 Stracathro House; Detail of main entrance  2003 RCAHMS E 38820 Stracathro House; View of E wing from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38821 Stracathro House; View of main block and S landscape with hospital from NE  2003 RCAHMS E 38822 Stracathro House; General view from NE from former tennis court  2003 RCAHMS E 38823 CN Stracathro House; General view from NE from former tennis court  2003 RCAHMS E 38824 Stracathro House; General view from ENE with raised terrace  2003 RCAHMS E 38825 Stracathro House; General view from ENE with raised terrace  2003 RCAHMS E 38826 CN Stracathro House; General view from ENE with raised terrace  2003 RCAHMS E 38827 Stracathro House; View from NW with raised terrace  2003 RCAHMS E 38828 CN Stracathro House; View from NW with raised terrace  2003 RCAHMS E 38915 View of exterior and greenhouses from NE  2003 RCAHMS E 38916 Walled garden; N entrance buildings from W  2003 RCAHMS E 38917 CN Walled garden; N entrance buildings from W  2003 RCAHMS E 38918 Walled garden; N entrance and tower from NW  2003 RCAHMS E 38919 Walled garden; Interior. N tower observation room from N  2003 RCAHMS E 38920 CN Walled garden; Interior. N tower observation room from N  2003 RCAHMS E 38921 Walled garden; Interior. N tower observation room plasterwork  2003 RCAHMS E 38922 Walled garden; View of exterior curved wall from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38923 Walled garden; View of exterior curved wall from NW  2003 RCAHMS E 38924 Walled garden; Elevated view from NE  2003 RCAHMS E 38925 CN Walled garden; Elevated view from NE  2003 RCAHMS E 38926 Walled garden; View of exterior of wall from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38927 CN Walled garden; View of exterior of wall from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38928 Walled garden; Elevated view of garden from NW  2003 RCAHMS E 38929 CN Walled garden; Elevated view of garden from NW  2003 RCAHMS E 38930 Walled garden; S section of garden from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38931 CN Walled garden; S section of garden from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38932 Walled garden; Garden from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38933 CN Walled garden; Garden from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38934 Walled garden; Garden from SE  2003 RCAHMS E 38935 CN Walled garden; Garden from SE

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 2003 RCAHMS E 38936 Walled garden; Greenhouses from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38937 CN Walled garden; Greenhouses from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38938 Walled garden; Main greenhouse from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38939 CN Walled garden; Main greenhouse from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38940 Walled garden; Main greenhouse from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38941 CN Walled garden; Main greenhouse from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38942 Walled garden; Interior, Main greenhouse from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38943 CN Walled garden; Interior, Main greenhouse from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38944 Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge; General view from N  2003 RCAHMS E 38945 CN Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge; General view from N  2003 RCAHMS E 38946 Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge; View from SSE  2003 RCAHMS E 38947 CN Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge; View from SSE  2003 RCAHMS E 38948 Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge; View from ESE  2003 RCAHMS E 38949 CN Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge; View from ESE  2003 RCAHMS E 38950 Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge; View from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38951 CN Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge; View from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38952 Stracathro House, Ornamental Footbridge; Detail of ironwork  2003 RCAHMS E 38953 Stables; view from D showing main front  2003 RCAHMS E 38954 CN Stables; View of Stracthro House stables from S showing main front. Now available as digital image SC1250854  2003 RCAHMS E 38955 Stables; view from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38956 CN Stables; view from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38957 Stables; view from SE  2003 RCAHMS E 38958 CN Stables; view from SE  2003 RCAHMS E 38959 Stables; Detail of main S entrance  2003 RCAHMS E 38960 CN Stables; Detail of main S entrance  2003 RCAHMS E 38961 Stables; view from NW  2003 RCAHMS E 38962 Stables; view from NE  2003 RCAHMS E 38963 Stables; view from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38964 Stables; detail of detached game larder  2003 RCAHMS E 38965 CN Stables; detail of detached game larder  2003 RCAHMS E 38966 Stracathro west cottage; view from SE  2003 RCAHMS E 38967 CN Stracathro west cottage; view from SE  2003 RCAHMS E 38968 Gardener’s House view from E (On-line description says Curling pond, view from E)

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 2003 RCAHMS E 38969 Gardener’s House view from SSW (On-line description says Curling pond; view from SSW)  2003 RCAHMS E 38970 CN Curling pond; view from SSW  2003 RCAHMS E 38971 Statue east of walled garden; View from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38972 CN Statue east of walled garden; View from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38973 Statue east of walled garden; View from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38974 Statue east of walled garden; View from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38975 Statue east of walled garden; Detail of statue plinth  2003 RCAHMS E 38976 Statue east of walled garden; Detail of statue plinth  2003 RCAHMS E 38977 Statue east of walled garden; View from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38978 Statue east of walled garden; View from SW  2003 RCAHMS E 38979 Statue east of walled garden; View from E  2003 RCAHMS E 38980 Stracathro House from S  2003 RCAHMS E 38987 Stracathro House Lodge; View from W showing lodge and gates  2003 RCAHMS E 38988 Stracathro House, Lodge; View from NE showing lodge and gates  2003 RCAHMS E 38989 Stracathro House, Lodge; View from N showing lodge main front  2003 GHSS 100_2035 Stracathro House  2003 GHSS 100_2036 Stracathro House  2010 RCAHMS DP097244 etc Set of five aerial prints (digital) centred on stable block  2010 RCAHMS DP97248/9/50 Set of three aerial prints (digital) showing walled garden  2010 RCAHMS DP097241 etc Set of eight aerial prints (digital) centred on Stracathro House

B4 BIBLIOGRAPHY OF PUBLISHED SOURCES: (Statistical Accounts, Gazetteers, Directories, Travel Accounts etc.) Please list publications consulted in alphabetical order. Include details of author, title, journal or periodical, and date, volume/edition and page numbers where relevant.

 Allighan, A. 2008, Stracathro Hospital, Angus Report on behalf of The Garden History Society in Scotland for the NHS.  Black, D.D. 1867, The History of Brechin to 1864 Edinburgh, Wm. Paterson, 99. (Re: Road bridge over the Cruick Water).  Buxbaum, T. 1989, Scottish Garden Buildings – Shire Edinburgh, Mainstream, (Photograph of the cast iron bridge by William Atkinson, 1828.)  Edwards, D.H. 1904, Around the Ancient City Brechin, David Herschell Publishing, 324-326  Cruickshank, F. 1891, Historic Footmarks in Stracathro, Brechin, Black & Johnston  Cumming, G. 1848, Forfar Illustrated Dundee, Gershom Cumming, Engraver 138-139,182.

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 Gifford, J. 2012, The Buildings of Scotland: Dundee and Angus, Yale University Press, New Haven and London, 671-674  Groome, F.H. 1896, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland, On-line edition edited by Mike Spathaky, 408.  Gerard, W. 1843, The New Statistical Account of Scotland, Stracathro, On-line edition, Vol. 11, 662  Gittings, B., Scottish Places: On-line Gazetteer University of Edinburgh and the Royal Scottish Geographical Society. (nb there are errors on this page)  Illsley, W.A. 1977, The Third Statistical Account of Scotland, (Vol. 26), The County of Angus, Arbroath, Herald Press, 239-246  Jervise, A. 1879, Epitaphs & Inscriptions Vol II Edinburgh, David Douglas, 236- 245.  MacLehose, J. 1886, Memoirs and Portraits of 100 Men of Glasgow, Glasgow, James MacLehose and sons on-line edition http://gdl.cdlr.strath.ac.uk/mlemen/mlemen019.htm  Pirie, J. 1987, Stracathro Hospital (GHSS / AA 2008 / D. Orr) In 1987 Jim Pirie, the Hospital Administrator endeavoured to record information on the development of the hospital to illustrate the passage of time, and to inform and provide a picture of the hospital over the years and be of interest to patients, visitors and staff who have known Stracathro Hospital. Copy available through GHSS.  Seton, W. 1743, Description of the Parish of Forfar in Mitchell, A (ed) Macfarlane's Geographical Collections, 1906 Vol I, 274  Thomson, J.M (ed.) 1894, Register of the Great Seal of Scotland H.M. General Register Office  Warden, A.J. 1884 Angus or Forfarshire the Land and People Vol V, Charles Alexander & Co, 169-178

B5 PRINCIPAL PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT:

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Brechin to 1864 page 99. (This bridge, over the Cruick Water, has been modernised and widened. Although no doubt very old, it is not wholly certain that this is the bridge referred to by Black. Ref RCAHMS Archeological notes.)  1682 Ochterlony mentions the estate.  1743 The House of Strickathrow is listed along with two others in William Seton; Description of the Parish of Forfar. Stated as large ½ mile SSE of the church. This probably means over ½ mile from the church and therefore S of the Cruick. (Stracathro house 2?)  1745 Stacathro shows on map by H. Moll but is shown N of the Cruick. (Probably ‘cribbing’ on the part of Moll from previous maps?)  1745 Roy’s Military Survey shows Strickatro S of the Cruick and indicates buildings with enclosure and plantings along a NW – SE axis, extending up the Hill of Stracathro over the public road. (Ref GHSS Report AA 2008) Note that the line of this road continues to become the pass road over the Cairn o’ Mount to Deeside.  1764 The lands purchased from Peter Turnbull by Colin Mackenzie & sold to his brother Dr. John MacKenzie (d. 1775), formerly a surgeon in Jamaica. Jervise Epitaphs & Inscriptions. Note that the 1776 map inTaylor & Skinner’s Survey and Maps shows the owner of Strickathro as Dr Mackenzie.  Pre-1775 The estate purchased by Patrick Cruickshank who made his fortune in Jamaica. Warden Vol V page 169.  1794 Ainslie’s map gives an idea of the layout of the landscape in the late 18th century. The rectangular pattern of enclosure is clearly visibly with the house being accessed by a straight avenue / public road from the SE. However, when compared with later maps this would appear to be an earlier house located to the SE of the present house. Ref GHSS AA Report 2008  By 1824 Acquired by Patrick’s brother Alexander on the death of Patrick  1824-27 New house built by Alexander Cruickshank to a neo-classical design by Archibald Simpson. (Stracathro House 3?) He laid out a deer park, the existing gardens, and the wall which encloses the property to the SE along the public road. Warden Vol V page 167. The decision to move the house to the NW may have been influenced by the close proximity of the public road to the old house. Refer GHSS Report 2008  In the plan of 1832, the walled garden is shown but not the belvedere. The gates either side of the main glasshouse are shown but not the glasshouse itself. Equally the lily ponds are absent from the plan as is that section of the drive which now crosses them. The lodges are not shown; similarly the gardener’s and butler’s houses.  By 1843 or 1848, the ‘wings’ were added to the house Refer Gershom Cumming engraving. However, other sources state the wings were added c.1850. The estate plan of 1832 possibly shows these outlined but not in place.  1847 Stracathro Estate for sale. Morning Chronicle.  1848 Stracathro purchased by Sir James Campbell  1914 The house temporarily became a military hospital, reverting to private use after the war.  1938 The house was leased by the Department of Health Stracathro Page 21 of 42

 1949 The house was sold, along with 203 acres of parkland, to the government under threat of requisitioning. The balance of the Stracathro estate remained in the ownership of the Campbell family.  Subsequent editions of the Ordnance Survey from the late 19th century until 1940 show that few changes were made to the 19th century layout of the landscape at Stracathro and the broad structure of this landscape still survives to the present day. (GHSS / AA 2008)  1977 Third Statistical Account states Stracathro estate owned by the Laird of Careston Castle.  c.1997 The walled garden sold.  2003 Stracathro house and stables sold by NHS and returned to a private house.

B6 PRINCIPAL ARCHITECTS/DESIGNERS ASSOCIATED WITH SITE: (please reference source of information)

See Dictionary of Scottish Architects http://www.scottisharchitects.org.uk/building_full.php?id=225295

The following individuals or organisations have carried out design/construction work.

Name Role From Notes

Archibald Simpson Architect 1827 J M Dick Peddie & Architectural 1913 Alterations (attic at rear?)

Forbes Smith practice

James Forbes Smith Architect 1913 Alterations (attic at rear?)

John More Dick Peddie Architect 1913 Alterations (attic at rear?)

Andrew Graham Patrick Architect 1940 Layout of hutted wartime hospital in grounds

Charles Geddes Soutar Architect 1940 Layout of hutted wartime hospital in grounds Maclaren Soutar Architectural 1940 Layout of hutted wartime

Salmond practice hospital in grounds

William Salmond Architect, Engineer 1940 Layout of hutted wartime hospital in grounds Eastern Regional 1951 Responsible for proposed central

Hospital Board heating

 Cast iron bridge by William Atkinson, 1828 - refer B4 Bibliography, Buxbaum.

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B7 ORAL RECORDS/REMINISCENSES Please include a list of any people interviewed during the course of research/survey work. Include name and role of interviewee (eg. family member, former employee, local resident), date of conversation and major dates, features or events recalled. Attach a transcript of the conversation if possible.

Some recollections from Pat Melville-Evans who owns the walled garden. Most come from her time helping the gardeners in the walled garden as a youngster in the 1960’s. Some of the gardeners were then in their 70’s and the stories had been handed down.  The present Stracathro House was built on the footprint of Easterton farm (shown as E. Town on Ainslie’s map of 1794).  The drawing room faces north-west up Glen Esk. There was a large mirror above the fireplace in the drawing room and if one stood facing the fireplace, the mirror reflected the view.  The room at the top of the belvedere was known as the sewing room; it has a decorated plaster coving and a fireplace. The ladies of the house would take their sewing there and work looking over the walled garden. A cupboard in this room was known as the fruit store and would have held choice fruit for the ladies.  The first floor of the belvedere was a single room bothy with a three-seater toilet on the same floor. The ladies entered the top floor by an outside staircase, bypassing the bothy, and then by an inside staircase.  There was a pond in front of the main glasshouses. Its stone surround remains in front of the glasshouse. (Note: the 1st edition OS map shows a water feature in the centre of the garden that may be the pond)  The pear on the rear wall of the glasshouse is original.  The mimosa on the rear wall of the glasshouse is original. Mimosa is the plant of the Freemason’s. This survived the war in the garden because of this association.  Within the grounds of Stracathro house there are specimen rhododendrons provided by Cox of Glendoig nursery from plant hunting expeditions.  There is a line of seven sequoias in the grounds of Stracathro. In front of these to the east, there are young sequoias planted by the gardener and Pat Melville-Evans in case the old trees fell. The gardener was about 70 at this time.  The engineer’s house at Stracathro was previously the butler’s house. It became known as the Engineer’s house under NHS days.  The new bungalow between the gardener’s house and the butler’s house was built on the old curling pond. The shed there was the old curling shed and a condition of planning consent was that the shed remained.  The lily ponds, now lying outwith the curtilage of Stracathro House, were created by diverting a burn that came down Stracathro Hill from Clearbank farm. There are/were two ponds with two bridges. Under the bridges is/was a weir so that the lower pond is much lower. From the house there were two circular paths which joined and led to a steep stair down to the lower pond with seats on a viewing area.  For most of its length, until it bears right, the main drive to Stracathro House is a right of way to Stracathro Kirk. The right of way continues past the stables and the walled garden. This was, and is still, in use.  On the south of the curved wall of the walled garden there was an herbaceous Stracathro Page 23 of 42

border. The short side walls framed this border.  The mile stone showing three miles from Brechin is now in the roundabout close by and east of the Stracathro service centre.  There is what may have been a reservoir behind and to the NWN of the walled garden. It is a large brick hole covered by a metal lid.  In the time of Campbell-Bannerman, fruit from the garden was sent daily to London by train from Montrose.  The garden statue was stolen in about 1997.  The top of the belvedere was probably the same design as the top of the stables, see the support structure.  Bund S of the houses between the house and the new NHS block (Susan Carnegie Centre)  There was a dog cemetery and also a horse cemetery in the grounds now part of Stracathro House.  On the Ainslie map, the names of the two farms Hillside and Clearbank were switched according to the allocation of the names on modern maps. At one time the two farms were owned by two brothers who worked the farms together.  Jersey cows were kept for supplying milk to Stracathro House. The dairy was part of the stable block.  The parish boundary is the stone wall above Clearbank Farm. This takes a detour around a rectangular section called the rhubarb field. It is possible this once held cottages considered part of the parish and hence this irregularity. This may be seen on Ainslie’s map.  The rubble of the old 18th century house may still be in situ. The informant recalls playing in the area of the old house shown on the plans and finding big stones and cellars.  A cast iron pipe carrying water runs (or ran) down Stracathro hill close to the avenue of the old house. The informant accidentally broke this pipe resulting in a serious release of water. The water board knew nothing of this pipe. No complaints resulted from the breakage. The pipe is still there but stopped.

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C. SITE SURVEY Use map provided to mark positions and boundaries. Take photographs where possible. C1 ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENTS Note the materials used, the dates and styles of various phases of development, and category of listing if appropriate C1A PRINCIPAL HOUSE OR BUILDING:

The house and its immediate setting are excluded from the survey. Historical information is shown in section A13 Listed Structures.

Stracathro House from the public road

C1B OFFICES (stables, outbuildings, etc):

The stables, offices and their immediate surroundings are excluded from the survey other than what can be seen from the public road. The stables include a separate game larder, dairy and a doocot. Historical information is shown in section A13 Listed Structures.

Front of stables from public right of way

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Doocot from public right of way

C1C HOME FARM OR MAINS:

This would have been Westerton of Stracathro. It is no longer part of the estate.

C1D BOUNDARIES (External & internal; estate walls, ha-has, park fences etc.):

The S boundary which includes the main gates is stone walling approx 1m high.

The boundary now surrounding the house and the associated landscaped grounds is mostly post and squared wire fencing and rabbit wire approximately 1m high. This fence does not relate to the actual boundary and in some cases is significantly different. In addition to this fence, Leylandii has been planted along the boundaries in some areas. In places 2m palisade has been used.

Internally, some of the old cast iron boundary can still be seen, for example parallel to the SE wall of the walled garden and along the public right of way.

Cast iron post on public right of way

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C1E GATES/GATE LODGES:

The main entry is on the S boundary on the old Dundee / Aberdeen road (previously the A94 or Brechin / Northwater Bridge Road). There are no gates but the gate piers are simple classic monoliths of Archibald Simpson pattern; corniced, with rosetted friezes and swagged urn finials. There is no sign of gates having been hung, possibly as the drive has always been a right of way to the church on the NW of the house and N of the Cruick water. However, on each gate pier, there is a metal insert, purpose unknown.

The OS maps of 1862-1922 show a lodge at the junction of the main drive and the public road but there is no lodge now. It is not shown in the OS map of 1957. It was not shown in the plan of 1832.

From the main drive, double cast iron gates guard the carriage entrance to Stracathro House.

There is a second entrance from the unmarked road to the W of the estate. The gate piers from this entrance are now at Careston.

At the W entrance is a single storey lodge with hipped roof. The front door is central to two windows and protrudes slightly with the roof additional to match. The door and windows are slightly arched. Chimneys at both ends. This is not shown in the plan of 1832.

There is a rear drive to Stracathro Church. This branches from the main drive at the stables and crosses the bridge at Millden. At the church, there is a pair of gates on square gate piers with capstones. This is now the private entrance to Millden Lodge.

C1F GARDEN BUILDINGS (Summer houses, view houses, temples, grottoes etc):

The belvedere is integral to the walled garden and is included there.

C1G CHAPELS/MAUSOLEUMS/BURIAL GROUINDS:

None.

C1H CONSERVATORIES/FERNERIES:

There is or was a conservatory or orangery as part of the house.

C1J GARDEN STATUARY (Fountains, statues, sundials, monuments etc.) Note any inscriptions:

A plinth is all that remains of a late Victorian statue. This was stolen in c. 1997. The plinth is in the grounds now part of the house.

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C1K BURIAL GROUNDS/CEMETERIES (Note principal memorials and headstones with inscriptions where possible):

There is or was a dog cemetery and a horse cemetery in the grounds now part of the house grounds.

C1L BRIDGES:

 Road bridge on the public right of way across the lily pond. This crosses the weir so that the water levels on the N are much lower than the water level on the S of the bridge  Cast iron foot bridge over the lily pond to the S of the road bridge  Cast iron footbridge at rear of house to Cruick water (not seen – part of house grounds) Refer A13 Listed structure 17780 for historic details and B3 Historical Illustrations for photograph of steps  Millden bridge leads N past the stables and crosses the Cruick to Millden Cottage. This is now private property.  Road bridge over Cruick water on minor public road

Cast iron footbridge over the lily pond – from the public right of way

C1M TERRACES (Including steps & stairways):

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A flight of steps leads down to the footbridge over the Cruick Water at the rear of the house. Refer B3 Historical Illustrations – RCAHMS A10215. This is in the grounds of the house.

There is an external flight of steps leading to the upper floor of the belvedere. Refer C1N Walled Gardens.

C1N WALLED GARDENS (Including potting sheds, bothies, glasshouse ranges etc.):

Stracathro walled garden OS 1922

The walled garden and immediate surrounding cover approximately three acres. The walled garden and immediate surrounding cover approximately three acres. When purchased in 2003 the interior was completely overgrown with no obvious layout. The garden was ploughed and the paths relaid according to the plan shown in the 1st edition OS map. This effectively divides the area into six sections with a NE / SW central path and two cross paths NW to SE; the cross paths are staggered at the central path.

Originally, the paths were edged with special stones some of which still survive near the main glasshouse. The paths are now edged with concrete edging and filled with stone chippings.

The walls 8’ on S side; 10’ on SW side; 12‘ on N side. They are of stone except around the doors on either side of the central glasshouse, suggesting that the belvedere section might have been a later addition to the original structure. The width of the borders along the walls is determined by the heights of the walls. The walls are ‘D’ shaped with the straight wall running NE / SW on the SE side. In the centre of the curved wall at the NW, a section of the original wall has been heightened to accommodate the main glasshouse. The alterations to the wall include a three storey belvedere in central position with a range of single storey buildings on either side. These are external to the walled garden. The belvedere is c.1827 being part of the work on building of the current Stracathro House. This implies that the walls pre-dated 1827 so may be 18th century and part of the previous establishment. Some repair work has been necessary to the walls.

Two ‘wings’ are on the NE and SW corners. These may have been to give additional support to the main wall but may have been to frame the herbaceous border that existed

Stracathro Page 29 of 42 between them.

The main glasshouse is on the NW wall. It is double storey and in three sections. The side sections are slightly recessed and the central section is slightly higher. Internally, it is divided in a similar way. The central section has a fig and mimosa against the rear wall. These are original to the glasshouse. The mimosa is reputed to be associated with The Freemasons and was used in Stracathro House as decoration. Refer B7 Oral Records. The glasshouse has doors at each end allowing through traffic. There is a flagged floor in most parts.

The original ventilators on the SE lower frames are still in working order. The top ventilators are not in working order though some of the mechanism is still in place.

From the N side section, there is a door leading to the rear offices giving access to these offices and also to the belvedere. In addition, a tank is accessible through an opening for watering the plants. This was included in the heating system so that the plants were watered with warm water.

The heating was a hot water system from a boiler behind the N glasshouse. The boiler and pipes have been removed.

Main glasshouse from SE with belvedere above

To the N of the main glasshouse, there are two further glasshouses. That closer to the main glasshouse has had the upper parts removed and is now reduced to the stonework. That further along is in working order. It is single storey with cast iron finials. The chimney for the boiler house is seen on the wall above this glasshouse as the boiler room is immediately behind. That further from the main glasshouse may be that shown in the 1922 OS map.

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Subsidiary glasshouses N of the main glasshouse

Against the N wall are the remains of a metal framed peach house. This may be contemporary with the walls. It has a curved face and is curved to match the wall behind. The remaining glass has been removed for safety.

Peach House on the N wall

External to the walled garden are a further two glasshouse and a pineapple pit. One of the glasshouses has been reduced to the stonework but the other is in working order. There were further glasshouses but these were removed some time previously. Refer 1922 OS map shown at the top of this section.

External to the walled garden on the NNW is the belvedere and a range of offices.

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Belvedere and offices against the NNW wall

The belvedere has an entrance from the main glasshouse giving access to the room N of the tower and also to the stairs to the upper floors. On the first floor is a bothy with two small rooms. One previously held a three-seater toilet (now removed); the other, presumably a sleeping room, now holds a free standing fruit store. The external staircase entered at this level and ascended to the upper room which was known as the ladies’ sewing room. Refer B7 Oral Records.

The internal stairs to the first floor are stone and well worn; the internal stairs to the upper floor are wooden. The external stairs have a cast iron balustrade and an elegant doorway into the tower.

The top floor has windows in three directions and is a viewing gallery. The windows there now are not original but would have been similar to the other windows. The windows on the first floor are unusual in that some are not glazed to the size of the opening. The top floor room has an elegantly plastered cornice and a cast iron fireplace. The cupboard to the left of the fireplace had been a fruit store.

The roof of the belvedere has characteristics similar to that of the doocot above the stable block. It may be that the belvedere once had a similar crenellated roof.

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To either side of the belvedere is a range of offices each side terminating in a gable end facing NW. These ranges match in size but apart from the gable ends are different in content. That in the left has doors but was originally open and in use as an area for washing pots. That on the right has windows but alterations can be seen showing that there had been a door. Internally, the right has been plastered and there is a fireplace with a Hunter (of Mells) wood-burning stove. This room also contains old scrub tanks presumably from the hospital. They are not connected to water.

There is a water pump at the edge of the drive as it passes behind the walled garden.

There is a brass tap with a cast ornamental surround at the rear of the walled garden.

From outside the belvedere, access is gained directly to the walled garden by doors at either end of the glasshouses. There is another door at the E corner of the wall and this would have led to the paths network between the garden and lily pond. A further door is central to the SE wall. It is noted that this door does not appear to be central to the range of buildings opposite. This may be an illusion caused by the curvature of the north wall, or an error in design/construction. Near to the S corner on the straight wall, a previous entrance is blocked up. Nothing is known about this but it shows on the 1862 OS map. A double access gate is on the SW and, judging by the surrounds is relatively modern. It may have been widened to allow entry of tractors during the war. The OS map of 1862 does show an entry at this point.

Planting in the garden is mixed. Some fruit trees line the N wall. The borders in front of the walls are herbaceous with some shrubs. The central sections to the NW are grassed with borders of herbaceous and shrubs. The central section to the SE is used for soft fruit and vegetables.

The walled garden from the belvedere

The walled garden from N end of main glasshouse

C1P AVENUES, CARRIAGE DRIVES, ORNAMENTAL WALKS, SERVICE DRIVES

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ETC:

The main drive enters from the S between gate pillars and curves gently in an elongated ‘S’ shape to reach the front door on the SE of the house.

A junction leads left to the stables and walled garden and continues W past the lodge. This would have been the service entrance coming in from the west.

Just past the stables, another junction leads N across Millden Bridge to Stracathro Church. This is now a private drive.

The main drive is recorded as a right of way although there are now signs at the W lodge saying that gates are locked at night.

To the east of the walled garden there are grassy ornamental walks between the garden itself and the lily pond. These are shown on all of the 25” to mile OS maps 1862 to 1922. They still seem to be in place but are part of the house grounds.

A gravel walk surrounds the walled garden.

The tree-lined avenue leading to the earlier 18th century house is visible on the other side of the A90. It is approximately 25 metres wide overall. Refer John Ainslie’s map of 1794 in section B1 Mapped Sources and the 1792 plan of Stracathro in B2 Primary Sources.

C1Q ROCKERIES:

Not known.

C1R WATER FEATURES (natural & man-made including rivers, cascades, lochs, pools etc.):

The lily pond, the associated weir and the lower pond were created by diverting the burn from Clearbank farm to the Cruick Water. The diversion point is approximately NO 620 650 and after feeding the ponds, the water flows into the Cruick.

There is a weir under the cast iron bridge to create ponds at two different heights.

The N boundary of the policies is the Cruick water.

Another smaller burn flows just N of the walled garden and joins the Cruick just upstream of Millden bridge.

There is an underground cistern at approximately NO 621 655. This is brick-lined and covered by a metal lid (not locked). Not seen, refer B7 Oral Records.

C1S ANY OTHER FEATURES NOT INCLUDED ABOVE (Include any historic or

Stracathro Page 34 of 42 modern feature and indicate use where possible):

Part of the old A94 Brechin / Northwater bridge road is now an access to the hospital and service station. A roundabout lies to the W of the Stracathro main entrance. In the centre of this is the old milestone being the three mile marker from Brechin.

The main park on both sides of the main drive is now the site of Stracathro Hospital. This consists of multiple single-storey buildings.

C2 PLANTED ELEMENTS: The garden or park should divide up naturally and historically into different areas, e.g. ornamental gardens, parkland, walled garden, policy planting. Each area should be delineated on a plan and current use noted. C21. ORNAMENTAL GROUNDS C21A GRASSED AREAS (Lawns, meadows, terraces):

The main grounds associated with the house have extensive lawns.

Those areas of the park not built on by the NHS remain grassed.

C21B FLOWER BEDS (Indicate theme or type – parterres, perennial herbaceous border/annual bedding where possible. Note whether significant plant collection):

Not known other than extensive herbaceous borders in the walled garden.

C21C SHRUBBERY INCLUDING HEDGES & TOPIARY (Include details of height, species etc. if possible):

Not known within the house grounds. A Leylandii hedge has been planted along part of the boundary of the house. This is approximately 4-5m high and is uncut.

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C21D ORNAMENTAL TREE PLANTING (Single specimens, groups – include details of age and species if possible):

Most of the ornamental tree-planting is within the grounds of the house. This includes a Spanish chestnut.

There is a stand of seven sequoias in a W-E line between the walled garden and the house. In front of this a second line of sequoia planted probably in the 1960’s. In front of this double row of sequoias, there is a hedge of uncut Leylandii.

A large yew (Taxus baccata) stands to the NE of the walled garden. This is within the ground associated with the walled garden but has been fenced off and so appears as part of the house grounds.

To the N and NE of the walled garden, the ornamental trees provide a backdrop and a shelter belt.

There are a number of large Irish yew trees by the wing of the walled garden at the west corner and also in the grounds of the house visible from the road.

On the outside of the SE of the walled garden, a pair of copper beech trees frame the view from the belvedere.

On the N of the walled garden two conifers frame the entrance to the belvedere.

In the main glasshouse is a large mimosa original to the glasshouse.

To the W of the main drive, a group of mature trees including copper beech.

There are a number of specimen trees within the former park which would have been intended to be ornamental.

C21E AVENUE PLANTING (May also cross parkland and policy planting. Note predominant species and whether single or double planted if possible:

The remains of a single row of trees line the main drive on either side. In places, the gaps have been filled with young trees.

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C21F ANY OTHER ORNAMENTAL PLANTING FEATURE NOT COVERED ABOVE:

None seen. Originally, the garden contained specimen rhododendrons supplied from expeditions by Cox of Glendoick.

C22. KITCHEN GARDENS AND ORCHARDS C22A KITCHEN GARDENS (walled, hedged or other boundary. Note any other historical features and current use)

The walled garden is being used to supply fruit and vegetables for the Stracathro service station.

Outside the SE wall of the walled garden is a walk and on the side further from the wall are some old fruit trees. This may have been an orchard area.

There are some espaliered trees inside and against the N wall of the walled garden.

The main glasshouse has a large fig original to the glasshouse. In addition, there are new but well established peach trees.

C22B ORCHARDS (walled, hedged or other boundary. Note any other historical features and current use)

See 22A.

C23. PARKLAND C23A GRASSED AREAS (Note current use, amenity grassland, agricultural use – grazing, cultivation etc.):

The parkland holds the buildings of Stracathro hospital. The hospital has been sited sympathetically so that much of the original landscape is still apparent.

C23B TREE PLANTING (Individual specimens, clumps, belts, roundels etc. Note species if possible, and whether fenced):

Some large park trees still exist between the hospital buildings.

C23C ANY OTHER PARKLAND FEATURE NOT INCLUDED ABOVE:

None.

C24. POLICY WOODLAND PLANTING C24A COMPOSITION (Note composition of woodland; deciduous/coniferous/mixed, and principal species if possible. Note current use eg. commercial timber

Stracathro Page 37 of 42 cropping/amenity woodland):

The policy woodland that it is possible to see from the public road appears to be largely deciduous, as are the shelter belts.

C24B ANY OTHER POLICY WOODLAND FEATURE NOT INCLUDED ABOVE:

None.

C25. VIEWS, VISTAS, BORROWED LANDSCAPE & PERIPHERAL AREAS, C25A KEY VIEWS (please note views inwards to the house, outwards from the house, and internally within the landscape):

The house is prominent from Stracathro hill and also the public road on the S side.

On the N of the house there is a viewing terrace. From here there is a view up Glen Esk.

Stracathro House with Glen Esk behind taken from Stracathro Hill

The view from the top floor of the belvedere looks towards Stracathro Hill and is framed by two copper beech trees.

The view from the front or SE side of the house would have been to Stracathro Hill but this is now shielded by Leylandii planted along the main A90 trunk road.

The 18th century avenue to the south of the A90 was in effect a vista taking the eye of the

Stracathro Page 38 of 42 observer up the hill. It is 25 metres wide and probably in line with the front of the second (?) Stracathro House. It appears from the 1862 OS 6” map (see below) that there was an eye catcher at the end of the avenue.

C25B BORROWED LANDSCAPE (please note any features, natural or man-made, lying outside the designed landscape which act as eye-catchers or contribute to the outward views):

Glen Esk.

C25C PERIPHERAL AREAS (please note any features lying outside the main landscape but which are clearly designed eg. regularly spaced roadside/field boundary trees, estate walls etc.):

C3 GENERAL OBSERVATIONS ON CURRENT CONDITION OR CARE OF THE LANDSCAPE

C4 SURVEY DRAWINGS AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHS

Please include a list and copies where possible of any drawings, photographs made/taken during the ground survey.

Some photographs are included in the body of the report. Additional photographs are on the associated DVD.

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D. SUMMARY HISTORY OF THE SITE

This section should be set out in chronological form and should include information on the way the site has developed and changed since it was first recorded, using dates and maps where possible. The names of owners, architects or designers involved, and relevant historical events should be recorded, and the sources noted.

An extended version of this is available as a separate document associated with this report.

 Warden Vol V and the Register of the Great Seal of Scotland (RGS): - 1566 Sir Robert Lawder acquires Stracathro after the reformation. (RGS – 20th July 1566 – Robert Lauder…terras et villam de Stracathrow) - 1574 Stracathro sold to Alexander Hume of Manderstoun (RGS - 24th April 1574 – terras de Stracathrow) - 1597 4th March 1597 John Douglas of Tilliequhillie and Marie Young Spouse, M. Peter Young de Seytoun – villam et terras de Stracathro cum earum piscariis in ‘the North-Watter’, molendinis fullonum, terries brasinariius, ceteris molendinis, in dominio de Brechin, vic Forfar. - 1647 Retoured to Sir Robert Douglas of Tilliequhillie  1656 Peter Turnbull, in Ulysses-haven (Usan), acquired Stricathro by purchase from Sir Robert Douglass of Tilwhyllie. Jervise; Epitaphs & Inscriptions  1678 Stacathro shows on map by Robert Edward - two houses by the church N of Cruick water (Stracathro house 1?)  1680 Notice is made for the repair of the bridge of Stracathro. The History of Brechin to 1864 page 99. (This bridge, over the Cruick Water, has been modernised and widened. Although no doubt very old, it is not wholly certain that this is the bridge referred to by Black. Ref RCAHMS Archeological notes.)  1682 Ochterlony mentions the estate.  1743 The House of Strickathrow is listed along with two others in William Seton; Description of the Parish of Forfar. Stated as large ½ mile SSE of the church. This probably means over ½ mile from the church and therefore S of the Cruick. (Stracathro house 2?)  1745 Stacathro shows on map by H. Moll but is shown N of the Cruick. (Probably ‘cribbing’ on the part of Moll from previous maps?)  1745 Roy’s Military Survey shows Strickatro S of the Cruick and indicates buildings with enclosure and plantings along a NW – SE axis, extending up the Hill of Stracathro over the public road. (Ref GHSS Report AA 2008) Note that the line of this road continues to become the pass road over the Cairn o’ Mount to Deeside.  1764 The lands purchased from Peter Turnbull by Colin Mackenzie & sold to his brother Dr. John MacKenzie (d. 1775), formerly a surgeon in Jamaica. Jervise Epitaphs & Inscriptions. Note that the 1776 map inTaylor & Skinner’s Survey and Maps shows the owner of Strickathro as Dr Mackenzie.

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 Pre-1775 The estate purchased by Patrick Cruickshank who made his fortune in Jamaica. Warden Vol V page 169.  1794 Ainslie’s map gives an idea of the layout of the landscape in the late 18th century. The rectangular pattern of enclosure is clearly visibly with the house being accessed by a straight avenue / public road from the SE. However, when compared with later maps this would appear to be an earlier house located to the SE of the present house. Ref GHSS AA Report 2008  By 1824 Acquired by Patrick’s brother Alexander on the death of Patrick  1824-27 New house built by Alexander Cruickshank to a neo-classical design by Archibald Simpson. (Stracathro House 3?) He laid out a deer park, the existing gardens, and the wall which encloses the property to the SE along the public road. Warden Vol V page 167. The decision to move the house to the NW may have been influenced by the close proximity of the public road to the old house. Refer GHSS Report 2008  In the plan of 1832, the walled garden is shown but not the belvedere. The gates either side of the main glasshouse are shown but not the glasshouse itself. Equally the lily ponds are absent from the plan as is that section of the drive which now crosses them. The lodges are not shown; similarly the gardener’s and butler’s houses.  By 1843 or 1848, the ‘wings’ were added to the house Refer Gershom Cumming engraving. However, other sources state the wings were added c.1850. The estate plan of 1832 possibly shows these outlined but not in place.  1847 Stracathro Estate for sale. Morning Chronicle.  1848 Stracathro purchased by Sir James Campbell  1914 The house temporarily became a military hospital, reverting to private use after the war.  1938 The house was leased by the Department of Health  1949 The house was sold, along with 203 acres of parkland, to the government under threat of requisitioning. The balance of the Stracathro estate remained in the ownership of the Campbell family.  Subsequent editions of the Ordnance Survey from the late 19th century until 1940 show that few changes were made to the 19th century layout of the landscape at Stracathro and the broad structure of this landscape still survives to the present day. (GHSS / AA 2008)  1977 Third Statistical Account states Stracathro estate owned by the Laird of Careston Castle.  c.1997 The walled garden sold.  2003 Stracathro house and stables sold by NHS and returned to a private house.

Name:

Alice Bremner

Signature:

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Dates of ground survey work:

July 2012

Date research completed:

August 2012

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