DiCamillo Companion
Scotland

Kinross House

Kinross, near Perth

Perth & Kinross

Scotland

Historic County: Kinrossshire

Circa Date: 1683-93 w/19th, 20th & 21st century alterations

Status: Fully Extant

House Open to Public: By Appointment

Country House: Yes

This house has been used for TV and Film Historic Houses Member

The entrance facade from a 1922 photograph

The garden facade from a 1908 postcard

  • Built / Designed For: Sir William Bruce

    House & Family History: Kinross House was the first classical style country house built in Scotland. In 2011, the house, together with 78 acres, was sold to the Yorkshire businessman Donald Fothergill (of First Sight Estate) for approximately £4.25 million. Fothergill extended to estate to 100 acres and opened the house as a luxury exclusive use venue.

    Collections: On March 30, 2011 the contents of Kinross, including those from the London home of Mrs. Spencer-Churchill, were sold in 292 lots in London by Christie's, bringing a total of £1,505,350.

    Comments: In 1772, after visiting Kinross House, Daniel Defoe wrote the following: "At the West End of the Lake [Loch Leven], and the Gardens reaching right down to the very Water's Edge, stands the most beautiful and regular Piece of Architecture, (for a private Gentleman's Seat) in all Scotland, perhaps, in all Britain, I mean the House of Kinross."

  • Garden & Outbuildings: The layout of the current garden was put down in 1902, after the earlier design had become overgrown. The Kinross House Estate includes an island in Loch Leven on which is located the ruined Lochleven Castle [qv].

  • Architect: William Bruce

    Date: 1683-93
    Designed: House for himself

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  • Vitruvius Scoticus: Adam, W., pls. 61, 62, 1810.

    John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: Vol. II, p. 212, 1853.

    Country Life: XXXII, 54, 90, 1912. CIX, 472, 1951. CXXXVII, 666, 726, 1965.

  • Title: Biographical Dictionary of British Architects, 1600-1840, A - HARDBACK
    Author: Colvin, Howard
    Year Published: 2008
    Reference: pg. 178
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press
    ISBN: 9780300125085
    Book Type: Hardback

    Title: Classical Architecture in Britain: The Heroic Age
    Author: Worsley, Giles
    Year Published: 1995
    Reference: pg. 155
    Publisher: New Haven: Yale University Press (The Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art)
    ISBN: 0300058969
    Book Type: Hardback

  • House Listed: Category A

    Park Listed: Listed as a Garden & Designed Landscape

  • "How We Built Britain" (2007 - TV series). "The Country House Revealed" (2011 - TV series). "Land of Hope and Glory: British Country Life" (2016 - TV mini series).

  • Current Seat / Home of: Donald Fothergill; here since 2011.

    Past Seat / Home of: Sir William Bruce, 1690-1715; John Bruce, 18th century; Sir Thomas Bruce-Hope, 18th century. George Graham, 1777-1801. Sir Basil Montgomery, 20th century; Montgomery family here from the early 19th century until 2011.

    Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust

    Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home

    Ownership Details: The house and estate are available for exclusive event use, including accommodation.

  • House Open to Public: By Appointment

    Phone: 01577-865-626

    Email: [email protected]

    Website: https://www.kinrosshouse.com/

    Awards: Historic Houses Association and Sotheby's UK Restoration Award 2013

    Historic Houses Member: Yes

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