Amhuinnsuidhe Castle
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Amhuinnsuidhe Castle , also Avonsuidb Castle or Fincastle , is a mansion on the northwest coast of the Scottish Hebridean island of Harris . In 1971 Amhuinnsuidhe Castle was included in the Scottish Monuments List in the highest category A.
history
The mansion was built between 1864 and 1867 for the Scottish nobleman Charles Murray, 7th Earl of Dunmore . As an architect, David Bryce was responsible for the planning. Before it was completed, however, Murray was over-indebted and the building was taken over by Sir Edward Scott. At first it was called "Fincastle". Scott bequeathed the property to his son Samuel, who was known for his lavish parties. At this time, the writer James Bridie is said to have written the original version of a play at Amhuinnsuidhe Castle. William Lever, 1st Viscount Leverhulme acquired the property in 1919 and leased it to Scott. After Lever's death in 1925, Scott bought the lands back and they remained in his possession until his death in 1944. The aviation pioneer Thomas Sopwith then bought Amhuinnsuidhe Castle, who sold it again in 1961. The property then changed hands frequently. Today there is an upscale hotel and event location.
description
Amhuinnsuidhe Castle sits on a small bay across from Taransay Island on the west coast of North Harris. It is only removed from the coastline by a 30 m wide section, which is fortified with a wall at this point. Unusually, the connecting road leads directly past the front. The asymmetrical building is built in the Scottish Baronial style. The facades are kept simple and largely without ornamentation. While the front parts of the building are made of imported ashlar, local quarry stone was used in the rear parts. The slate-covered gable roofs with their massive chimneys are decorated with stepped gables . On the eaves side, suggested battlements run with battlements, some of which merge into suggested bay towers at the edges of the building.
Individual evidence
Web links
- Internet presence of the house
- Entry on Amhuinnsuidhe Castle in Canmore, Historic Environment Scotland database
Coordinates: 57 ° 57 ′ 41.2 " N , 6 ° 59 ′ 25.9" W.