Barra Castle, Aberdeenshire
Photo © Richard Paxman, 7 July 2006
Barra Castle, Aberdeenshire
Photo © Richard Paxman,
7 July 2006
-- BARRA CASTLE, ABERDEENSHIRE.
This castle, which belongs to the beginning of the seventeenth century, occupies a site famous for the victory of Bruce over his great enemy Cumyn, Earl of Buchan, in 1308. It is about two miles south of Old Meldrum, and stands on the gentle rise of the slope above the Lochter Burn.
The plan is somewhat unusual, combining an approach to modern arrangements with an adherence to many of the old ideas. The elevation also shows a departure from the ordinary style, the usual angle turrets being omitted, while a sufficient number of the Scottish features are retained to give a remarkably pleasing and picturesque effect. The buildings are arranged round three sides of a courtyard, the fourth side being enclosed with a wall, in the centre of which is the entrance door, while the top is ornamented with three vases arranged symmetrically. The house enters from the courtyard at the south-west angle, and immediately opposite the door is the wide staircase to the principal floor in a circular stair turret. The kitchen and passage, with cellars, etc., one of them having a stair down from the hall, are according to the traditional arrangement, but the room to the left of the entrance, with its angle turret, is an innovation. The building on the north side of the courtyard is probably somewhat later than the rest. It provides a good deal of additional accommodation in a separate block, with a distinct door and stair, as was sometimes done for example, at Culross Palace. The kitchen has a stone "filler" for water-supply from the outside, and it would seem that it was contemplated to erect an oven in the tower adjoining the fireplace, which, however, remains unfinished.
The upper floors (which have been greatly altered) contained the usual hall or dining-room over the cellars, and withdrawing-room over the kitchen.
The remarkable simplicity of the design is shown with the turrets being carried up from the foundation, and corbelling being very sparingly employed. This is probably one of the most successful designs we have of this class of house.
There appears to be no trace of history or tradition connected with the erection of this mansion, but its architecture clearly places it in the first half of the seventeenth century. --
The Castellated and Domestic Architecture of Scotland by David Macgibbon and Thomas Ross 1889