Alternative Names Gordonstoun; Plewlands; Gordonstoun School; Gordonstown House
Site type COUNTRY HOUSE, SCHOOL, TOWER HOUSE
Canmore ID 16143
Site Number NJ16NE 7.00
NGR NJ 18440 68988
Council MORAY
Parish DRAINIE
Former Region GRAMPIAN
Former District MORAY
Former County MORAYSHIRE

Canmore Mapping
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Archaeological Notes

NJ16NE 7.00 18440 68988

NJ16NE 7.01 19282 69565 East Lodge
NJ16NE 7.02 19510 69043 Michael Kirk Lodge
NJ16NE 7.03 182 693 North Drive, Gates and Gate Piers
NJ16NE 7.04 18374 68868 Round Square (Mains Farm)
NJ16NE 7.05 18334 68969 Round Square, Dovecot
NJ16NE 7.06 17697 68864 West Lodge and Gate Piers
NJ16NE 7.07 18809 69410 Windmill Dovecot
NJ16NE 7.08 18168 68969 Cumming House
NJ16NE 7.09 1873 6925 Fire Station
NJ16NE 7.10 1768 6889 Bellwood Cottage
NJ16NE 7.11 1884 6937 Windmill Cottage
NJ16NE 7.12 1840 6890 Chapel
NJ16NE 7.14 18470 69004 Water Tower

For Michael Kirk (Gordonstoun House mausoleum and Gordonstoun School chapel) at NJ 1928 6893 and Michael Kirk, Cross (Ogston Market Cross) at NJ 1928 6892, see NJ16NE 16.00 and NJ16NE 16.01 respectively. For Duffus House (NJ 1757 6853) and lodge (NJ 1724 6820) which form part of the school, see NJ16NE 27.00 and NJ16NE 27.01 respectively.

(NJ 1843 6898) Gordonstown (NAT)
OS 6" map, Morayshire, 2nd ed., (1906)

Gordonstoun policies and the school premises extend into Duffus parish.

The house of Plewlands was purchased by Sir Robert Gordon in 1638 and renamed 'Gordonstoun'. Alterations by him and his successor gave the house a symmetrical south frontage and further alterations in the late 18th century gave it its classical north front, but it appears quite possible that the west wing may represent the original 15th century tower-house and that portions of along 16th century wing are incorporated in the southern part of the central block.
R G Cant 1948.

The Round Square (stables etc.) was built by Sir Robt. Gordon (1674-1704)
Visited by OS (A L F R) 23 July 1959; Plans and particulars with Scottish Historical Building Soc c/o MoW, Edinburgh)

Adequately described above. The Round Square is at NJ 1836 6889
The modern name is 'Gordonstoun'. Now a school.
Visited by OS (R D L) 30 November 1962.

Gordonstoun School [NAT]
OS 1:10,560 map, 1969.

Architectural Notes

NMRS REFERENCE:

Architect:- 1775-76

Scotland's Magazine July 1962 p. 8 - article and photographs

"The History of the Estate of Gordonstoun" (pamphlet missing at time of upgrade)

EXTERNAL REFERENCE:

SRO
1/2 years wages of Gardeners Gordon House from 23 May 1726
Geo. Kay Factor to Robert Gordon #1.80 Scots

Drainie Gordon House
Letter: William Lindsay to Baillie Key, Factor to Sir Robert Gordon. He has sent 20 bars of lead to complete the work at Sir Robert Gordon's house.
Wishes payment of #46.14.4
6 September 1727 CS228/Miscell.Box 6




REFERENCE:
Two late 19th century photographs in the Inigo Thomas Album, purchased by NMR, Swindon, 1997.

Non-Guardianship Sites Plan Collection, DC23856, 1957

Bogdan and Bryce, N and I B D (1991) 'Castles, manors and 'town houses' survey', Discovery Excav Scot
Page(s): 36

Cant, R G (1948a) Old Moray: a description of old buildings illustrated with photographs, two plans and a map, {Elgin}
Page(s): 29 Held at RCAHMS D.5.41.CAN

Gordonstoun House ({19--?}) Gordonstoun House, Inventory 28 and 29, December 1854, Typescript
Page(s): 29 Held at RCAHMS D.5.43.GOR.P

Hill, O (1948) A School in Scotland Country Life, vol.103 [Jan 9]
Page(s): 82-83

Leslie, {?} (1810) General view of the agriculture of the counties of Nairn and Moray with observations on the means of its improvement drawn up for the consideration of the Board of Agriculture and internal improvements, London
Page(s): 47-8 Held at RCAHMS R.7

Rhind, W (ed.) (1839) Sketches of the past and present state of Moray, 'Illustrations drawn and sketched by D Alexander esq.''Edinburgh: Printed by Andrew Shortrede, Thistle Lane' Elgin
Page(s): 121 Held at RCAHMS D.5.4.RHI.R

Scottish Castle Survey (1988) 'A directory of the owners and occupiers of the castles, manors and 'town houses' {c.1050-c.1707} of Scotland: Grampian Region', Aberdeen
Page(s): 55, no.122/2 Held at RCAHMS B.2.1.CAS

Watson and Watson, J and W (1868) Morayshire described: being a guide to visitors, containing notices of ecclesiastical and military antiquities, topographical descriptions of the principal country residences, towns and villages and genealogical notes of the leading families in the county, 'With map and illustrations' Elgin, printed by Jeans and Grant.
Held at RCAHMS D.5.41.WAT.R