KEYS TO KNOW
An A- listed gothic mansion is at the centre of Hensol Estate’s intriguing history, writes Kirsty Mcluckie
Hensol Estate near Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, counts some interesting past owners. The secluded estate has a magnificent granite house overlooking the River Dee, glorious gardens, plus five cottages, a farmhouse and home farm and commercial land.
The main house was built in 1822 when owner John Cuninghame commissioned Gothic revivalist architect Robert Lugar, who was renowned for designing dramatic country houses, including Balloch Castle on Loch Lomondside.
Hensol is a fine example of his work, and one Lugar was proud of. He said of it: “This newly erected mansion stands on a bold rise of ground in the midst of romantic scenery... beyond which the mountain in the distance, melting with soft air shows a highly finished picture of the greatest character.”
His description is still apt today. The house is set in such a secluded spot that it is quite possible to live in the area for years and never see it.
Its owners have included Richard Cuninghame, a big game hunter whose diaries recount him saving President Roosevelt’s life from wild elephants.
It is believed that some of the trees in the grounds of Hensol were a gift from the White House.
His wife came from a family of great gardeners who designed the grounds at their home, Logan near Stranraer, now part of the Royal Botanic Garden. She established the gardens at Hensol which have been recently restored.
The house then passed by marriage into the Ailsa family, but on acceding to their title, Lord and Lady Ailsa chose to continue life at Hensol rather than at Culzean Castle which was instead gifted to the National Trust of Scotland in 1945.
On their death Hensol passed to a goddaughter, Lady Henderson, who moved there with her husband, Admiral Sir Nigel Henderson, a former chairman of the military committee of Nato, in 1971.
Shirley and Maurice Bell bought Hensol five- and- a- half years ago with their son Andrew and his family, and Shirley jokes that they must be the most boring owners in its history.
The Bells are farmers, originally from Cumbria, and although they were attracted by the land, it was the house that Shirley and Maurice fell in love with.
Shirley says: “It is such a magnificent house, with the views over the river. I think most people thought that we would use it as a hotel, or turn it into a conference centre, but we have just lived in it as a home and that has been a real privilege.”
The house has ten bedrooms, four reception rooms and a conservatory. A favourite room is the drawing room which is of ballroom proportions.
Shirley says: “It is wonderful to fill it with family and friends for a party.”
The house is packed with period details but highlights include a cupola and a striking Jacobean carved wooden mantelpiece which incorporates a Cunninghame wedding stone.
In the years since they moved in, Shirley has been in charge of improvements inside the house and says: “We have just moved through it from room to room, redecorating and replacing curtains and furniture. I’ve enjoyed the whole project.”
The house is still encircled by glorious gardens which include a distinctive 17th century sundial, a summerhouse and a tennis court.
Again, while her husband and son have been in charge of the farming and the wider estate, Shirley has tackled the garden, but she says it doesn’t require a lot of work to keep it looking beautiful.
“In its heyday, the estate would have teams of people working it but we’re very hands on and I really enjoy gardening,” she says.
Of the five cottages, three are on a long let, two are holiday cottages, which she runs. You get the impression that the Bells are busy people.
They haven’t had much time for field sports in their time here, but there is a driven pheasant shoot, duck flighting, roe deer stalking and two miles of River Dee frontage with trout fishing.
For the Bells the riverside setting and frontage on Loch Ken with a boathouse has meant kayaking with grandson, Harry.
The estate also has its own wetland and woodland reserve known as the Ken- Dee Marshes.
Sitting beside the River Dee and Loch Ken it is a superb location to observe a variety of birds and wildlife in this glorious, peaceful corner of Scotland. Over 1,000 acres of farmland, forestry, plus river and loch frontage. Field sports opportunities and trout fishing on the River Dee.