This morning's short (3.75 mile) excursion was to the hamlet of Drybridge, south of Buckie, a colllection of houses built to serve the owners of the Letterfourie estate, and its magnificent Robert Adam designed 11 bedroomed mansion, completed in 1773. It was recently on the market for offers over £2,950,00 and was sold. It was built originally for two Gordon brothers, James and Alexander, both bachelors who made their money as successful wine merchants in Madeira. The house is panelled in Spanish mahogany shipped back from Spain by the brothers.
They were the younger sons of John Gordon of Letterfourie and Glicerie Dunbar.
Alexander was a Jacobite who was forced to flee Scotland after the Battle of Culloden.
The brothers were devout Roman Catholics, and the house was built with a private chapel and accommodation for a priest.
The house was designed by Robert Adam, who is considered one of Scotland's greatest architects.
House:
The house is made of pink tooled granite and has mirrored wings.
The main dining room has mahogany paneling and a fireplace with a white marble chimney piece.
The first floor drawing room has hand-painted Chinese wallpaper.
The house is set on a raised basement.
The house has a private chapel and accommodation for a priest.
The estate includes Craigmin Bridge, which is a Category A listed building It is probably the most beautiful old bridge in Scotland. IT was designed to allow carriages to cross the large ravinethrough which flowed the Letterfourie Burn and it is an amazing piece of architecture, probably also designed by Robert Adam.