Ronnie RobertsonMoray SocietyElgin Museum1 High StreetElginIV30 1EQTel: 01343 543675
The Gordon family acquired land in Moray in the 15th and 16th centuries, at Plewlands in the Laich of Moray and Gight, near Fochabers, later the site of Gordon Castle.Gordonstoun house is thought originally to have been a tall, thin tower dating from the 16th century. In 1616 the 1st Marquis of Huntly added two substantial two storey wings with heavy pavilion roofs.In 1730 (the date of the north doorway) the original tower was domesticated, and in 1775 given the classical façade we see today. The north entrance front is flush with the wings, faced with well-cut ashlar (smoothly tooled stone) and graced with a central, pedimented Corinthian-columned doorway. The south front overlooks the garden: although regular and balustraded at the wallhead the stone work is very rubbly, the wings project beyond the façade and revealclear traces of pitting and scraps of old masonry. The ground floor vaulting is similar. The flat roof behind the parapet was intended as a promenade from where there is a grand prospect over the Laich.In 1934 Gordonstoun was rented by Dr Kurt Hahn, founder and principal of Salem School in Germany. Hahn’s outspoken opposition to the Nazi regime led him to leave Germany and establish Gordonstoun School on similar lines to Salem. The Estate was sold to Hahn in the years after the end of World War II.
The Moray Society is grateful to the Governors of Gordonstoun School in agreeing to host Moray Doors Open Day.
Designed as an open square by George Kennedy in 1939 using timber naval construction, the walls taper outwards from base to eaves and the main entrance has a hull shaped pediment. Cumming House is 'B-listed.
Sadly the square was not completed. Named after Lady Smith-Cumming, a friend of the founder of the School.
Exterior viewing only as the building is in residential use by students.
Image (c) www.scran.ac.uk
DIRECTIONSGordonstoun is about five miles north of Elgin on the B9012 Duffus road; the entrance will be signed. Cars can be parked behind Cumming House, between Hopeman House/Aberlour House and at the Refectory car park (see centre pages) Cyclists are welcome. Dog owners are requested to leave their dogs at home as suitable shaded car park areas cannot be guaranteed.If present they should be kept on a lead.
Disabled access to almost all areas. For assistance ask one of the Stewards.
The school has kindly offered to give talks on the history and philosophy of the school in the South Room at 14.30, 15.30 and 16.30.
Gordonstoun is about five miles north of Elgin on the B9012 Duffus road; the entrance will be signed. Cars can be parked behind Cumming House, between Hopeman House/Aberlour House and at the Refectory car park (see centre pages) Cyclists are welcome. Dog owners are requested to leave their dogs at home as suitable shaded car park areas cannot be guaranteed. If present they should be kept on a lead.
Acoustic screens and flexible seating rostra allow the 200 seat theatre to be converted to three separate teaching and rehearsal spaces so that the facility can be in use for the development of drama and dance throughout the year.
There is also a generous foyer which doubles as an exhibition and reception space. The detailing both internally and externally has been kept simple and practical. The metal curving wave-form roof brings relatively low eaves heights to minimise visual impact on the landscape and vistas around Gordonstoun.
Built in 1959-60 in neo-Georgian style, a gift of the Besse family in memory of Antonin Besse, this building houses the School’s Fire and Coastguard Services, and, on the upper floor, an examination hall.
The fire service is an active retained unit within Grampian Fire and Rescue, and is called out during term time. Similarly, the Coastguard Service, Gordonstoun’s oldest service, provides support to the professional Coastguard Service.
Built as a mortuary chapel for Sir Robert Gordon, 3rd Baronet of Gordonstoun who succeeded his father in 1688. Educated at St Andrew’s University, much travelled, well read and a keen amateur chemist he was soon looked on as eccentric. The Michael Kirk is reached along a path from Gordonstoun named the ‘Silent Walk’ as those attending worship were expected to walk there in silence.
One of the pillars at the entrance to the enclosure has a rude, vigorous carving of a bearded savage, seemingly in a loin cloth, standing on an upturned leaf, a club over each shoulder, a crude Ionic capital acting as halo. His twin can be seen top right on the 1705 Gordon memorial inside the chapel, one cudgel less.The chapel was re-roofed and furnished as an Episcopal chapel for Lady Gordon Cumming in 1900. It was reconditioned for use by the School before the construction of St Christopher’s in 1966, though the congregation usually had to stand in the open! It is now used for small school services, family weddings and similar occasions. In the graveyard, the medieval Ogstoun market cross survives with some very fine tombstones.
Members of the Moray Burial Ground Research Group will be on site to point out the most interesting features.