Chance to see saved gems from country houses long since gone

The demise and destruction of many great country houses is also the subject of an exhibition which has just opened in Perth Museum and Art Gallery.

Since 1945, Scotland has lost more than 200 of its great country houses and the Lost Houses of Perthshire exhibition explores the area’s greatest architectural losses through photographs, drawings and surviving artefacts to tell the stories of the grand houses, their architectural importance and the circumstances of their destruction.

Perthshire experienced a wealth of new country house-building during the 19th Century as competing landowners attempted to outdo each other for architectural grandeur. Due to fire, dereliction, demolition and even artillery practice, Perthshire has lost scores of country houses since the Victorian Period.

Lost Houses of Perthshire explores forgotten palaces and manors – from magnificent Murthly, blown up in front of an eager crowd in 1949, to the large house of Duncrub at Dunning, demolished after the resident lord decided it was too expensive to heat.

Highlights of the exhibition include the impressive fireplace, which was taken from Moncrieffe House, Bridge of Earn, before it burnt down in 1957, artefacts from Duncrub near Dunning, an enormous Gothic Revival house built in 1837 and demolished in 1950.

Lost Houses of Perthshire runs until Friday July 2 at Perth Museum and Art Gallery and admission is free.