Torosay Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Torosay Castle |
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| Site information | |
| Owner | Campbell family |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1858 |
| Built by | Architect David Bryce |
Torosay Castle is a beautiful old house located on the Isle of Mull in Scotland. It's about 2.4 kilometers (1.5 miles) south of a place called Craignure. This amazing building is part of the Scottish Inner Hebrides islands.
Contents
What is Torosay Castle's Story?
Torosay Castle and its lovely gardens were officially recognized as important historical sites in 1987. The property was first known as Duart House. It was later renamed Torosay to avoid confusion with Duart Castle, another famous castle on the same island.
Who Built Torosay Castle?
The castle was designed by a well-known architect named David Bryce. He built it for John Campbell of Possil in a special style called Scottish Baronial style. This style makes buildings look like old Scottish castles, with towers and fancy details.
A history book explains that in the 1850s, John Campbell inherited the land. He decided to tear down the old house that was there and asked David Bryce to build something much grander. The new house, which was finished in 1858, was first called Duart House.
Who Owned the Castle Over Time?
In 1865, the castle was sold to Arbuthnot Charles Guthrie. His family owned it until 1911. Then, a man named Sir Fitzroy Maclean bought it when it was in ruins and worked to restore it. Torosay Castle became an important place for the Clan Guthrie family.
Exploring the Castle Gardens
Torosay Castle is surrounded by 12 acres (about 4.9 hectares) of amazing gardens. These gardens include formal terraces that were designed around the year 1900. They are thought to have been created by Sir Robert Lorimer. For many years, both the castle and its gardens were open to visitors. You could even get there by a special train from the Craignure ferry terminal!
The gardens have a unique "Statue Walk" with 19 statues. These statues look like the work of an Italian artist named Antonio Bonazza. A past owner, Walter Murray Guthrie, found these statues in an old, forgotten garden near Milan. He shipped them to Scotland for almost no cost, using them as heavy ballast in a cargo ship.
Famous Visitors to Torosay Castle
The famous writer Angela du Maurier, who was the older sister of Dame Daphne du Maurier, spent time living at Torosay. She was there with her close friend Olive Guthrie, who was related to the castle's owner at the time. Angela even dedicated her book Weep No More (1940) to "Olive Guthrie of Torosay." Other important guests in the 1930s included Winston Churchill and King George of Greece.
What Happened to the Castle Recently?
In 2012, Christopher Guthrie-James, who was the fifth owner from his family, sold Torosay Castle. A new owner, the McLean Fund, bought it and closed it for renovations. A private family moved into the castle in December 2013. Christopher Guthrie-James said he felt relieved to sell the family home. Kenneth Donald McLean, the sixth owner, has spent a lot of money making the castle and gardens beautiful again.
The castle is now a private home and is not open to the public. However, the gardens are open on the first Sunday of each month, from April to October.
The Amazing Champagne Discovery
In July 2008, something very exciting was found inside a sideboard at Torosay Castle! It was the oldest bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne ever discovered. This bottle, from 1893, was in perfect condition. People believe it had been hidden inside the dark sideboard since at least 1897. This priceless bottle of champagne is now on display at the Veuve Clicquot visitor center in Reims, France.
Images for kids
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Castle grounds
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Gardens at Torosay Castle
