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Park Estate dates back to the turbulent Middle Ages in Scotland.
It was originally a royal hunting Park for King Robert the Bruce
in the 14th century and he gave the royal hunting park, or Lands
of Park, to the Irvines of Drum as a present for their support at
Bannockburn.
In the early 19th century (around 1820) the Lands of Park, or
Park Estate as it then became, passed from the Irvines to a Mr
Moir of Aberdeen. Moir was a man of some substance in Aberdeen
and undoubtedly had commendable flair and taste, and a considerable
bank account. He employed the famous Scottish architect, Archibald
Simpson, to build him a grand house on a new site at Park in the
then very fashionable Palladian style. This is reflected in the
soaring pillars of the front porch and the single storey centre
which is in perfect proportion to the two wings at each side.
Moir broke new ground in the design of Park as it is one of the
very few late Georgian houses to be built in the north of Scotland
and must have seemed quite a departure from other houses that
were built in the more traditional style of Scottish architecture.
The public rooms, hall, dining room and drawing room are spacious
and delightfully proportioned with high curved ceilings and extensive
finishings to the doors, etc. Interestingly the arrival of the
turnpike road started to improve communications in Scotland at
that time and with Park being only 12 miles from Aberdeen it became
accessible for day visits rather than having guests to stay. A
team of horses could draw a coach 12 miles in the hour before
resting and this allowed Park to be used for parties that included
a day visit. This is why the house provides grand public rooms
but bedrooms that are, in general, less grand than those of other
houses where staying was essential should one wish to visit. The
current billiard room was originally the coach house where visitors
horses would be rested and fed and the coachmen similarly looked
after prior to a return to Aberdeen after a day enjoying Park.
One of the most fascinating features of Park is that the house
is virtually unspoilt and unchanged from its original design apart
from two changes to the rear of the house (by Sir Robert Williams,
a later owner) and the conservatory which was added more recently
by the Foster family. The house retains its original doors and
finishings including delightful curved doors to some of the rooms
and the original brass is present in shut plates, door knobs,
etc. Recently the original Caithness stone floors have been stripped,
cleaned and resealed. There is also a delightfully proportioned
main staircase leading to the upper floor. Another wonderful original
feature are the Victorian pedestal baths and the original tiled
bathrooms, which so reflect its late Georgian and early Victorian
periods. The original Victorian radiators remain throughout, although
the hot water and central heating system is supplied by four very
modern boilers to give 21st century comfort to guests at Park.
On the death of the old Laird, Derick Foster, in 1996 the house
was completely renovated by his son and daughter-in-law, John
and Clarinda. Their plan was to recreate the grandeur and comfort
that had been originally intended by the first owner, Moir, and
to look after guests in the greatest comfort and excellence. Park
is well known for its superb salmon fishing on the River Dee and
shooting throughout the coverts of the Estate. A very professional
team of staff look after guests both on the Estate and in the
house and delicious food is provided along with a superb wine
cellar that is always a talking point for guests at Park.
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