The Latest HX Destination: Mount Stuart House and Gardens
This week we are thrilled to welcome yet another astounding estate to HeritageXplore. Located on the Isle of Bute, an island on the west coast of Scotland, Mount Stuart is a marvel of Gothic Revival architecture.
This extraordinary destination is the ancestral home of the Marquesses of Bute. The original Georgian house was built in 1719 for the 2nd Marquess of Bute. Sadly much of this house was lost to a devastating fire in 1877. Only the wings survived. The rest of the grand red Gothic house that stands today was built by the 3rd Marquess.
Mount Stuart’s exterior, adorned with striking pinnacles and buttresses, is complemented by an interior of unparalleled splendour. Gaze up the Great Hall's celestial ceiling, inspired by the constellations visible on the night of the Marquess’s birth.
Much of the furniture in the house was designed by renowned Scottish artist, Robert Weir Schultz. Mount Stuart is also home to the first heated swimming pool and was the first house in Scotland to be lit by electricity.
Beyond its architectural brilliance, Mount Stuart is set amidst 300 acres of lush gardens and woodlands, offering serene vistas of the Firth of Clyde. This heritage gem not only encapsulates the artistic fervour of its time but continues to enchant visitors with its timeless beauty and storied past.
