Moy- nature inside not out

[Natbynature94]

Moy House is an 18th-century country house in Scotland. Built on the site of an older house by Collen Williamson and John Adam in the mid eighteenth century for Sir Ludovic Grant of Grant, it was the first building designed by a member of the Adam family to be built in Moray. It was designated a Category A listed building in 1971, and has been listed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland since 1990; ravaged by fire in 1995, it is now a ruin.

The land that Moy House stands on was purchased by John Campbell, of the Campbells of Cawdor, from the Bishop of Moray in 1579. It remained in the Campbell's possession until 1733, when the seventeenth-century 'auld house' that had been built on the site was acquired by Major George Grant. The wings projecting to the east added to the house in the 1750s by Collen Williamson, and in 1862 Grant's nephew, Sir Ludovic Grant of Grant, had the original part of the house demolished, at a cost of £5, and a new central block built. Williamson was the overseer and mason on the project, which was built between 1762-3 to a design by John Adam, after a design by his brother Robert Adam had been rejected. It was the first building designed by a member of the Adam family to be built in Moray.

In 1870, while the house was still owned by the Grant family, Alexander Ross added the two-storey wings to the north and south. The house remained in the possession of the Grants until 1922, since when it has had various owners.

Moy House was designated a Category A listed building in 1971. In 1988, concerns were reported in the local press about the condition of the building, which was at that date occupied in part by its owners, with some of the house rented to tenants. In 1990 it was listed on the Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland, and the local authority issued a repair notice, but the owners asserted that they were unable to afford cost of repairs, which were estimated at £80,000 - £160,000. A plan was put forward to build new properties within the house's grounds, which would raise funds to allow the repair of the house, but these were refused. In 1991, compulsory purchase proceedings were initiated, but these were appealed, and eventually rescinded, in 1992. A new plan for twelve houses to be built on the grounds was submitted later that year, which was accepted, and the building was completed in 1994, and in 1995 a fire broke out in Moy House that reduced it to a ruinous state. External supports were erected to stabilise the fabric of the building, and it was boarded up. Its owners indicated in 1997 that they hope to restore the house and convert it into flats, but building has remained abandoned and boarded up since the fire. The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland rates its condition as ruinous, and its level of risk as severe.

I personally loved this one, its like the walls are containing their own ecosystem in what would have been the Grand Foyer. Some of the arcitectural touches on the house were stunning, along with a bridged walkway to what was once the front door.

 

[BikinGlynn]

But of a wreck but still some lovely Scottish architecture, nicely done

 

[Sarah Waldock]

so who stood to gain from it being burned down, I wonder... and did planning permission to demolish and build fall through? such a shame.

 

[Natbynature94]

so who stood to gain from it being burned down, I wonder... and did planning permission to demolish and build fall through? such a shame.

They cant demolish as its grade A listed. The owners originally wanted to refurbish and repair however due to it being too unsafe they couldnt its now just a local ruin gone to waste. Their are people who live in the small gate house and in a trailer out back and a caravan out front. No one was there when we knocked to ask but i will naturally assume its the family staying on their land

 

[wolfism]

Sad to see an Adam building burnt out and ruined like this, but well done for getting out and photographing it.

 

[Foxylady]

Lovely photos, Nat, and a fab place to explore. I see what you mean about the inside growing out; something I find fascinating is how nature takes over. Nice one.