Dougarie Lodge - Isle of Arran

Dougarie Lodge sits on the western side of the Isle of Arran, just north of Machrie.  The lodge was built in 1864/65 as a shooting lodge for William Hamilton the 11th Duke of Hamilton. The Duke was married to Princess Marie of Baden and they had three children, William, Charles and Mary.  Mary married PrinceAlbert of Monaco and later Count Tassilo Festetics of Hungary. It is thought that her European connections and perhaps the influence from Bavaria and Hungary gave the interior a uniqueness – certainly in Scotland – of deer skin panelled passages, windows over fireplaces and horn door handles.  The lodge can be seen clearly from the road however other aspects of the estate are not so obvious.

To the front of the lodge a lawn stretches to the banks of the River Iorsa, and to the side lays terraced gardens in a castellated folly designed by James Mather in 1905.  The gardens are opened to the public 1 day a year, and no doubt will be subject of a more detailed blog then!

Further away from the road and separate from the lodge is the Towers.  Plans for this ruinous castellated style, were drawn in 1875 by John Currie. Although the 1^st edition OS maps show buildings on this site in 1837 but these are presumed to be older parts of the present complex.  The Towers includes a domestic house, bothy, kennels and various outbuildings.

At the side of the Towers is the Game Larder.  This was built in 1883, but little is actually known about it as no plans have been found. It is a large dodecagonal building very similar to the Bavarian summer house at Brodick Castle (also formerly owned by the Dukes of Hamilton).

All the buildings mentioned are Grade B listed. Oh, and Dougarie is pronounced 'Doo gry'

House of Machrie - Royal Brush

The House of Machrie is located on the Machrie Moor Road about half a mile from the western shores of the Isle of Arran. This Victorian mansion is set in beautiful surroundings with fabulous coastal views towards the Mull of Kintyre, a stone walled front garden and tall mature trees.

The house belongs to and is part of the Dougarie Estate.  At one time it was owned by the Dukes of Hamilton and belonged to the principle farm on the Island.  There was even a brush with Royalty in 1904, when it is recorded that King Edward VII, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Hamilton, 'took tea' here after a days deer stalking on Machrie Moor.

The building is very typical of 16th century domestic Scottish architecture with crow stepped roof gables and a circular tower with turret, which houses the grand staircase.

Nowadays the House of Machrie can be rented for holiday breaks or as a sporting lodge for larger parties.  The house can sleep up to 14 in two double bedrooms and 5 twin rooms.  It also has 2 large reception rooms and a large conservatory. 

Not to mention the reception hallway, drying room, outside pantry and games room with bar billiards and table tennis!

The large dining room can seat 14 comfortably. We even allow well behaved pets to stay!  Further information can be found on our website www.dougarie.com