Cluny Castle

[1] As of 2024[update] it remains privately owned by Cosmo Linzee Gordon of Cluny[2] who has employed craftsmen to complete extensive renovations.

Plans for a redesign were commissioned from Robert Adam in 1790 and from his business partner and younger brother James in 1793, though this work was never carried out.

[7] When Charles died on 8 May 1814, various bequests were made to his children; his eldest son John, later an army colonel and a member of Parliament, inherited Cluny and the remainder of the properties plus £30,000.

[11] He had previously inherited the estates of his uncle, a merchant in West India, and the Colonel continued to extend his fortune, purchasing additional lands including North and South Uist, Benbecula and Barra.

"[13] In The Times dated 23 July 1858, his assets were estimated at between £2–3 million and it stated he was "without doubt the richest commoner in Scotland.

[15] Despite a series of litigations lasting 20 years, in 1858 the estates were inherited by his natural son John, who became an Aberdeenshire Militia captain from 29 March 1852.

In September 1926 a fire started in the Servants' Hall kitchens causing extensive damage to two wings of the castle and destroying the private chapel which had been intricately decorated by the notable artist Daniel Cottier.

[18] In an earlier legal document dated 5 October 1835, the Colonel had declared that he wished his illegitimate children to inherit, but he did not intend to marry to facilitate it.

[18] The codicil ensured the family name was continued by mandating that any heirs to the estates "shall be bound and constantly obliged to bear, use and retain the surname of 'Gordon' and arms and designation of 'Gordon of Cluny' in all time after their succession to, or obtaining possession of, my said lands and estates, as their proper surname, arms and designation.

A clone of the old castle was built towards the east and the two were conjoined by a new building housing the entrance hall, main stairway and gallery corridor.

[11] Circular towers arched windows with hood moulds and crenellated parapets above bold corbelling were all incorporated into the design.

The chapel was reconstructed to resemble its former state, minus the original artistry of Cottier (now deceased), and some remodelling of the courtyard wings was carried out.

[31] The castle remains privately owned and was inherited by Cosmo Linzee Gordon, when he reached 18 years of age in 2010.

[32] Some scenes for the film The Queen, starring Helen Mirren, were recorded at the castle,[33] and it has also featured on a variety of UK national television programmes.

[31] During 2016 and 2017, substantial renovations were undertaken: the chapel was repainted; the roof and ceiling above the main staircases in the castle were replaced; turrets redecorated and drainage systems overhauled.