Pitmedden

The following is from the Historic Environment Scotland Gardens and Designed Landscapes Inventory. For the most up-to-date Inventory entry, please visit the Historic Environment Scotland website:

http://portal.historic-scotlan...

Location and Setting

Pitmedden is bounded by the A920 on two sides and lies halfway between Oldmeldrum and Ellon some 15 miles (24km) north of Aberdeen. Pitmedden village lies to the south-east on the B999. The Great Garden of Pitmedden is situated on the lip of the shallow valley of the Bronie Burn which flows north-east to the River Ythan. The climate is severe and the garden is open to the cold north-east winds. The remains of the woodland strips and the small copses make a contribution to the surrounding scenery.

The designed landscape extends in a formal rectangle bounded by the main road on the west and north side, and by the minor B roads to the south and east. The woodland strips mainly run east/west. Evidence of the designed landscape can be seen in the 1st edition OS plan of 1865 and the extent has remained similar since then. There are views along the Bronie Burn valley to the north- east and shorter views westwards across the park to the small wood. The designed landscape extends for about 61 acres (24.5ha) including the large park and the formal garden of 4.8 acres (1.9ha).

Landscape Components

Architectural Features

Pitmedden House is a two-storey mansion, listed category B, possibly built by William Henderson in c.1853. The east front was remodelled in 1944-45 by A.G.R. Mackenzie. The stables and outbuildings were probably built during the mid-19th century.

Pitmedden Great Garden, the walls, artefacts and pavilions were built c.1675 and are all listed category A. The south terrace was demolished and partially rebuilt in the 19th century and the pavilions were reroofed in c.1956. The Fountain in the upper garden was restored in 1956 and incorporates 17th century stone. The Fountain in the lower garden was created by J.S. Richardson from fragments from Pitmedden and part of Roger Mylne's Linlithgow Cross. The Sundial was set on its present site in 1958.

Parkland

The parks are bordered by shelterbelts, some of which have been recently replanted with hardwoods and a nurse crop of conifers. There are several small clumps within the parks and one of these has also been replanted. Rare breeds of Shetland sheep are kept for the interest of visitors and are grazed in the west parks. The drives are sheltered by woodland strips. There is a sycamore avenue to the north of the gardener's cottage and a beech shelterbelt along the south drive. A beech avenue has been planted along the west approach. The car park is situated to the south of the garden.

Woodland

Except for one copse surrounding the lime kiln outside the park, the woodland is mainly composed of shelter strips bordering the fields planted c.1800, of predominantly beech, some lime and, more recently, conifers. There are the remnants of a woodland shrubbery planting to the east of the walled garden along the Bronie Burn and around the pond.

The Gardens

Dr Richardson based the pattern for the four outstanding parterres from a bird's eye view of Edinburgh drawn in 1647 by James Gordon of Rothiemay showing the layout of the gardens at Holyrood House. The parterres lie in the four quarters of the walled garden with the fountain as the centrepiece. Three of the designs for the parterre are abstract forms and the third is the Seton Coat of Arms. Over 4.5 miles of box was planted to create the intricate shapes; some are filled with coloured gravel and others with over 40,000 bedding plants raised annually in the greenhouses. Along the west/east central axis of the garden, leading from the stairway, is a double row of clipped pyramidal yews. The large herbaceous borders planted under the north and east walls were originally designed by Sybil, Lady Burnett from Crathes, and were designed to be viewed from above and provide blocks of colour. Fan trained plums and espalier apple trees of the older varieties have also been planted along the walls; these are a legacy from the days when the garden was used as a kitchen garden.

A high retaining stone wall divides the upper from the lower terrace joined at the centre by an elegant double flight of steps. The two identical pavilions lie at either end and the 12' (4m) high wall and tall yew buttresses have been replanted under the retaining wall. The fountain and lily pond at the centre of the upper terrace have been reconstructed and the water flows to the font recessed in the stairway. Deeside peebles, cut in half, were used as cobbles to form the paths. Surrounding the fountain is a simple formal design of pleached limes about 9' (3m) high, centred on two old yews. There are period wall plants and authentic period style seats under the west wall between the buttresses. There is also a large period style bed of old fashioned species roses against the outer west wall and the upper lawn.

A herb garden on the upper terrace to the north of the house completes the restoration. It is also laid out in quarters edged with box, and is linked by espalier apple trees trained into an arch; each quarter is filled with different herbs, many labelled. During the summer months the garden is full of colour and interest.

Walled Garden

Behind the farm buildings is the propagating area supplying the garden with its bedding and herbaceous plants. There is one greenhouse, partially heated.