Alternative Names Achanachie Castle; Auchanachy Castle
Site type LAIRDS HOUSE
Canmore ID 17299
Site Number NJ44NE 1.00
NGR NJ 49857 46917
Council ABERDEENSHIRE
Parish CAIRNIE
Former Region GRAMPIAN
Former District GORDON
Former County ABERDEENSHIRE

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Recording Your Heritage Online

Auchanachie, 1594. All the elements of a late 16th-century Gordon house of some sophistication are still visible: the hall and offices in the two-storey main block with massive stair, turnpike and bedrooms in the tight, three-storey link block. The massive lum promises much. Inscription over door: FROM OVR ENEMIES DEFENDE VS O CHRIST 1594. 18th century
addition to north and drum-shaped 18th-century doocot in grounds. Refurbished 2004, Acanthus Douglas Forrest.

Taken from "Aberdeenshire: Donside and Strathbogie - An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Ian Shepherd, 2006. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

Archaeological Notes

NJ44NE 1.00 49857 46917

NJ44NE 1.01 NJ 49858 46865 Doocot

(NJ 4985 4694) Achanachie Castle, a small laird's house of the late 16th and 17th centuries, which belonged to the Gordons of Avochie. The tower, which bears the date 1594 over the doorway, is now 3 storeys high, and has a large circular stair tower with tiny slit windows and square slot-hole type apertures. The main 17th century extension has been on the E. The building is now occupied by the farm grieve.
N Tranter 1962-70.

Auchanachie Castle (information from name plate) has been harled and renovated but is not outstanding. The 17th century extension is to the N (not the E as described by Tranter (1962-70)) and the dated lintel is over the E doorway.
At NJ 4986 4686 is a 17th century circular harled dovecot.
Visited by OS (ISS) 13 December 1972.

Notes and Activities

Bogdan and Bryce, N and I B D (1991) 'Castles, manors and 'town houses' survey', Discovery Excav Scot
Page(s): 28

Coventry, M (2001) The castles of Scotland Musselburgh
Page(s): 61 Held at RCAHMS F.5.2.COV

Savills (199-?) Auchanachie, by Huntly, Aberdeenshire: [sale particulars], Edinburgh
Page(s): sale brochure Held at RCAHMS D.5.13.AUC.S