 Dunrobin Castle as it looks now
The haunted mansion
Recommendation added: 20/10/2006 21:28
By: velvet202 (YSUK rating +191)velvet202 has been thanked 15 times for this contribution
"We stared up the impressive white walls, silhouetted against the eerily white clouds. So this was the famous haunted castle, the old mansion that had scared off and at the same time attracted tourists and dwellers from all over the world throughout history. Everything about it, from the façade to its dark, sightless, windows, whispered of mystery, and so did the huge mausoleum garden behind it.
As we entered the hall, we noticed that it was tall and large with numerous paintings neatly ordered to each side. Its freshly strong scent of lilies blended with the smell of old stone and carved wood, a scent that is still imprinted in my memory as strongly as on the day we visited Dunrobin Castle.
Dunrobin Castle is located in Sutherland on the east coast of Scotland, a mile north of Golspie and about 90 minutes north of the beautiful town Inverness. Having been the seat of the Earls and Dukes of Sutherland for over 700 years now, it boasts of 189 rooms and has been named the largest house in the Northern Highlands. Half of its rooms face across the North Sea, and it is said that one can even smell the clean, fresh air of the Sea on a cold October morning.
The museum in the old Summer House is well stocked with many collections of furniture, pictures, objects d'art, uniforms, china and family memorabilia. Visitors to the castle can also see a 19th century horse-drawn fire engine in the Sub Hall. One exhibition – the famous Clan Exhibition - is particularly worth mentioning as it includes the colours of the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders, which is often mentioned in many a highland sagas, fiction and non-fiction books.
In its early years, the castle was a fortified, square keep looking out from its cliff top position. In 1845, a certain Sir Charles Barry (the architect behind the Houses of Parliament in London) was employed to completely re-model its exterior to change it from a fort to a house in the Scottish Baronial style, a style that had become extremely popular among the aristocracy.
Sir Barry was highly influenced by French culture and consequently, the castle and especially its famous gardens look like a miniature of Versailles.
Although much of the interior was destroyed by a fire in 1915, the main influence was maintained and restored by Scottish architect, Sir Robert Lorimer.
The house became a boy's boarding school for a period of seven years from the late 1960's before reverting back to being a family house now owned by Elizabeth Janson, Countess of Sutherland, who inherited the castle in 1963 following the death of the 5th Duke of Sutherland whose funeral service took place in the drawing room.
The castle offers a breathtaking view on the picturesque nature surrounding it. But what fascinated us the most was the garden, which is divided into two parterres, both laid out around circular pools with numerous fountains (just like Versailles) but with a sad Scottish touch. The design is much as Sir Barry had built it but there have been recent refurbishments to the planting and ornamentation, including avenues of Tuscan laurel and White beam, and the construction of wooden pyramids. Amongst new features is a vegetable garden and orchard which was begun in 1999, again with French influence to the fore.
The main attractions are:
• The Victorian Museum with collections local (clans) history, geology and natural history
• A Gift Shop supplying a wide range of gifts, souvenirs and local craftware at very reasonable prices
• The Falconry, which runs daily impressive shows
A fresh buffet is available at all times, where visitors can enjoy light meals, snacks and hot and cold refreshments. Although we tried to squeeze our visit into a full-day excursion, that is hardly enough time to visit this breathtaking castle. Visiting on two consecutive days would be much more enjoyable.
The castle is open every day from April to October 15 from 10.30am. On some Sundays it doesn't open until 12 am. The gardens are open all year round and entry is free of charge when the castle is closed. Unfortunately there is limited disabled access to the house."
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