Argaty facts for kids
Argaty is a farm estate located in Scotland, just over a mile northeast of Doune, Stirling. The main building, Argaty House, was built in the 1800s with some fancy additions later. Sadly, a big fire in April 2011 almost completely destroyed it.
Argaty farm is well-known for its special red kite feeding station. Red kites are beautiful birds of prey. Visitors can come here to watch these birds, which were brought back to this area through a program run by the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage.
In 1982, the ownership of Argaty House and the farm estate became separate.
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Uncovering Argaty's Past
What Does "Argaty" Mean?
The name "Argaty" (sometimes spelled "Ardgaty") comes from old Gaelic words. Aird means "height," and gaoth means "wind." So, Argaty means "windy height."
Argaty's Medieval Story
Long ago, Argaty was part of a larger estate called Doune. This land belonged to the Dukes of Albany, who were part of the Clan Stewart of Balquhidder.
In 1425, one of these Dukes, Murdoch Stewart, Duke of Albany, was executed for betraying King James I of Scotland. Because of this, his lands, including Argaty, were taken by the King.
Afterward, the King gave Argaty to a man named John Sinclair. Later, Sinclair's younger daughter married Patrick Home. This is how Argaty came into the Home family.
Argaty in the 1700s
About 150 years later, Argaty was inherited by a daughter named Mary Hume. She married George Stewart. Interestingly, George Stewart was a descendant of the same Dukes of Albany who had lost Argaty centuries before! So, the land returned to their family line.
In 1758, a man named George Hume Steuart inherited Argaty. He was a wealthy landowner from Annapolis, Maryland, in America. When the Revolutionary War started in 1775, George Hume Steuart had to leave America because he supported the British King. He returned to Scotland and divided his lands among his family.
His son, also named George Hume Steuart, inherited Argaty in 1788. He changed his name to George Steuart Hume. When he passed away, Argaty went to his baby daughter, Sophia.
Changes in the 1800s
Sophia Hume later married her cousin, David Monro Binning. By the early 1800s, the house and estate were owned by the Binning-Home family. The house was also greatly changed and updated during this century.
Argaty became known for breeding a type of cow called shorthorn cattle. A famous shorthorn bull named Alban, born in 1868 at Argaty, was even recorded in a special book for cattle breeders.
Argaty in the 1900s
During the 1900s, Argaty was owned by several different families. Mr. and Mrs. Henderson bought it in 1916. Their daughter and son-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Bowser, later took over. From 1947 to 1986, Captain D. Bowser managed the estate.
In 1982, a big change happened: the ownership of Argaty House and the Argaty farm estate became separate.
Argaty Today: A Place for Wildlife
Today, Mr. Niall Bowser and his wife Lynn run the farm estate from Lerrocks Farm. Argaty farm is home to central Scotland's only red kite feeding station. This is a special place where visitors can come and watch these amazing birds. The red kites were brought back to this area through a program managed by the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage.
The area around Doune is now managed by Stirling Council.
On April 30, 2011, a fire broke out at Argaty House. The fire department estimated that 90% of the building was completely destroyed.
Images for kids
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Painting of Argaty house, as it appeared when it was inherited by George Hume Steuart of Annapolis, Maryland, in 1758.
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George Steuart Hume inherited Argaty in the late 1700s
