The construction chronology and significance of timber for building Panmure House, Angus

Abstract

This paper presents the first comprehensive analysis of Panmure House, Angus as originally built for the earls of Panmure between 1666 and 1670. Although considered in its day as one of the finest houses in Scotland, Panmure has never been the subject of an individual study. An extensive collection of building accounts and contracts found in the Dalhousie Muniments, supplemented by William Adam's drawings have, however, afforded the opportunity to investigate in some detail how the building works for the earl of Panmure were organised and executed. Through careful examination of this evidence, a clearer understanding of the design and development of Panmure has emerged, revealing how such building works were organised, which craftsmen were employed, and what materials were required for its completion. In particular, the increasing use and significance of timber for building works in 17th-century Scotland can be recognised at Panmure, a development which can be directly linked to the emergence of Norway as the prime supplier of building timber to Scotland from the 16th century onwards.