Haddo House
Unusual for Aberdeen-
shire in that it is not a
castle, Haddo House is
proud to be the most
homely of the northeast
of Scotland's great
houses open to the
public. Designed by
William Adam for the
2nd Earl of Aberdeen
in 1732, but refurbished
in the 1880s, the House
elegantly blends crisp
Georgian architecture
with sumptuous late
Victorian interiors by
Wright and Mansfield. Noted for its fine furniture, paintings and objects d'art.
Haddo also boasts a delightful terrace garden with geometric rose beds and
fountain, commemorative trees, a lavish herbaceous border, and secluded glades
and knolls. A magnificent avenue of lime trees leads to Haddo Country Park with its
lakes, monuments, plaques and memorabilia build up a fascinating account of the
Gordon family who lived at Haddo continuously for over 400 years. Haddo House
was acquired by the Secretary of State for Scotland in 1978, through National Land
Fund procedures, at the wish of the 4th Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair who also
provided an endowment. The house and garden were opened by the Trust in July
1979. The adjacent Country Park, run by Aberdeenshire Council, was opened at the
same time.
The Gordons of Haddo are a strong cadet line of the Gordons, descending from Sir
John de Gordon .
