New book resurrects lost mansions of Perthshire

Homes were abandoned or razed in last century

A lost world of high living enjoyed by rich industrialists and the landed gentry is vividly brought back to life in a new book.

The story of the widespread demise of many of the county’s most magnificent homes is told by brothers David and Ian Robertson of Strathtay in Lost Country Houses of Perthshire.

“Perthshire is not alone in having lost many of its fine country houses over the past century and more, but this little book begins to show just how much has disappeared,” said David.

“Changing economic circumstances through the 20th Century meant many families could no longer afford to maintain the large mansions which their Victorian ancestors had built or enlarged.

“Wartime use by military and other public authorities left many country houses in poor repair and needing substantial and costly restoration.

“As a result, particularly in the years following the Second World War, many estate owners simply chose to abandon or demolish these mansions and move into smaller and more manageable houses.”

Ian said that they had identified more than 50 country houses as having been lost across the length and breadth of the old county of Perthshire.

“Some have been replaced by new and smaller houses, but many have disappeared for good,” he said.

The illustrated book looks at 26 houses lost between about 1860 and the end of the 1950s. Several were lost to fire, still the greatest scourge of old country houses.

Many ended their days being demolished by the Dundee firm Charles Brand Limited of Commercial Street, which prided itself on pulling down – or blowing up – scores of country houses.

Other properties were simply abandoned to become ruinous, only being cleared away many years later.

The story of each house is briefly told in the book, telling of the families who lived in them and those who visited them. Many of these Perthshire homes were let out annually for their shooting and fishing rights. Dalpowie House on the Murthly estate, south of Birnam, was rented for 10 years by the artist Sir John Millais.

Among houses described are Dunira near Comrie, burnt down in 1947; New Murthly Castle, blown up in 1949; Foss House, lost when the Loch Tummel level was raised in 1950; and, Cardean House near Meigle, demolished in 1953

Lost Country Houses of Perthshire is published by the Friends of Perth and Kinross Council Archive.

David, left, and Ian Robertson with their book Lost Country Houses of Perthshire.