Daviot House (House of Daviot)

1815-20, 2-storey and attic mansion over raised basement,

east facing 3 wide symmetrical bays to all elevation with

pronounced canted outer bays flanking east front entrance.

All coursed tooled, mixed pink and grey coursed granite

rubble, contrasting tooled and polished sandstone ashlar

dressings. Centre entrance with painted ashlar Roman Doric

columned portico; rectangular fanlight with decorative

radial glazing 9-panel door approached by splayed flight of

steps over-sailing raised basement with original decorative

cast-iron hand rail. Steps aligned to front-age by ashlar

bandcourse which encircles building between raised basement

and ground floor.

Large (raised) ground floor windows, 3 in canted bays

flanking entrance, the front being blind but glazed.

Tripartites in 1st floor of canted bays, with blind side

lights. Regular fenestration in return gables and at rear,

where some alteration and probably excavation has taken

place, opening up basement approach; garage door slapped

in basement and NW raised ground floor window masked by

corrugated iron covered way carried on bridge to link up with

later single-storey corrugated iron extension on rubble base.

Small piended dormer in front and 2 each north and south

sides; multi-pane glazing; moulded eaves cornices and

blocking course to front wallhead; piended platform slate

roof with centre pair long corniced ashlar flue batteries.

Interior; panelled dados, window shutters, and doors in all

principal ground floor rooms; moulded door pieces;

decorative plaster cornices; centre plaster roses; reeded

wood chimneypiece in front public room right of entrance

hall. Cantilevered staircase rises full height in centre rear

of house with castiron balusters with palmette detailing and

polished wooden handrail.

Built by Alexander Mackintosh of Mackintosh, "within the last

20 years" (1838), who had "taken up residence" by 1821.

East facing site at edge of steeply sloping valley to Nairn

River. Some vestiges of ruins of 15th c. Daviot Castle lies

just north of the house.

What is a listed building?

Designation is the legal recognition of some of Scotland’s most important historic sites and places. Historic Environment Scotland (HES) designates scheduled monuments, listed buildings, historic battlefields, and gardens and designed landscapes.

HES makes recommendations to the Scottish Government about historic marine protected areas, and the Scottish Ministers decide whether to designate.

Listing is the process that identifies, designates and provides statutory protection for buildings of special architectural or historic interest as set out in the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997.

HES list buildings which are found to be of special architectural or historic interest using the selection guidance published inDesignation Policy and Selection Guidance (2019) - external link.

About listed building records

Listed building records, like this one, provide an indication of the special architectural or historic interest of the listed building which has been identified by its statutory address. The description and additional information provided are supplementary and have no legal weight.

These records are not definitive historical accounts or a complete description of the building(s). If part of a building is not described it does not mean it is not listed. The format of the listed building record has changed over time. Earlier records may be brief and some information will not have been recorded.

Legal requirements

The legal part of the listing is the address/name of site which is known as the statutory address. Other than the name or address of a listed building, further details are provided for information purposes only.

HES does not accept any liability for any loss or damage suffered as a consequence of inaccuracies in the information provided. Addresses and building names may have changed since the date of listing. Even if a number or name is missing from a listing address it will still be listed.

Listing covers both the exterior and the interior and any object or structure fixed to the building. Listing also applies to buildings or structures not physically attached but which are part of the curtilage (or land) of the listed building as long as they were erected before 1 July 1948.

While HES is responsible for designating listed buildings, the planning authority is responsible for determining what is covered by the listing, including what is listed through curtilage. However, for listed buildings designated or for listings amended from 1 October 2015, legal exclusions to the listing may apply.

If part of a building is not listed, it will say that it is excluded in the statutory address and in the statement of special interest in the listed building record. The statement will use the word ’excluding’ and quote the relevant section of the 1997 Act. Some earlier listed building records may use the word ’excluding’, but if the Act is not quoted, the record has not been revised to reflect subsequent legislation.

Planning and consents

Listed building consentis required for changes to a listed building which affect its character as a building of special architectural or historic interest. The relevant planning authority is the point of contact for applications for listed building consent.

Further information

Searchtrove.scot for information on scheduling andother designationsor visitHistoric Environment Scotland - external link.

You can also contact us on 0131 668 8914 ordesignations@hes.scot - external link