Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 14 on 2/5/2004.

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A touch of madness

Charles Douglas visits Haddo House, home to some colourful people

Haddo House is a magnificent 18th century palladian mansion designed in the north east of Scotland by the architect William Adam for William Gordon, 2nd Earl of Aberdeen. It was built on the site of the Gordon family’s former tower house, Kellie Castle, and was the marvel of its time,
although in the centuries that followed it has always remained a welcoming family home.

In her memoires, Mary Welfare, adopted daughter of the 4th Marquess of Aberdeen, remembered singing in its corridors.

“It often seemed that everyone wanted to join in and share our childhood,” she wrote, likening the experience to living in a mad boarding house.

But then the Gordons were an extraordinary family, and some of them were just a little mad. The earliest record of the name in Scotland appears in the late 12th century and is connected with the Parish of Gordon in Berwickshire. By the end of the next century they had moved to Aberdeenshire with the senior line emerging as Earls of Huntly.

Through marriage and purchase, however, another offshoot acquired the lands of Methlick, Haddo and Kellie, upon which they built their first stronghold, Kellie Castle.

In the 17th century, John Gordon, a staunch Royalist, fought for Charles I against the Covenanters. When he eventually surrendered, he was executed for treason and Kellie Castle burned to the ground.

His son, however, made a spectacular come-back, becoming Lord High Chancellor of Scotland in 1682 and 1st Earl of Aberdeen. He was succeeded by his.....

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By Charles Douglas

Section : Historic Houses

Page number : 12