Torphins

Craigmyle House

Craigmyle House : courtesy Bruce Gordon.

An estate and former mansion in Aberdeenshire, Craigmyle House stood just east of Torphins and 6 miles (10 km) northwest of Banchory. Built in 1676 by a branch of the Burnett family, it was extended and modernised by architect Sir Robert Lorimer in 1902 for R. P. Robertson of Glasgow.

Sir Robert Stodart Lorimer,(1864 - 1929) was an architect noted for his restoration of castles, and his promotion Arts and Crafts style in Scotland. He was born in Edinburgh, the son of James Lorimer (1818-90), a Professor of Law, and educated at the Academy and University in the city. He started his career working for Sir Robert Rowand Anderson (1834 - 1921). He began his own practice in 1892 and went on to build or remodel a large number of country houses, castles and several important public buildings. He was the architect of the Scottish War Memorial at Edinburgh Castle and the Thistle Chapel at St. Giles (Edinburgh).

Sir Robert Stodart Lorimer lived in Kellie Castle (East Fife), continuing the restoration begun by his father. His elder brother was the artist John Henry Lorimer (1856 - 1936) and his son, Hew (1907-93), became a noted sculptor.

Graigmyle House was later the property of Thomas Shaw, regrettably it was demolished by staged explosion by the army in 1960.