Best Bard none...
Home where Burns stayed is worthy of its own poem, To a House
THE dramatic view down the Clyde Valley will have changed quite a bit since Robert Burns drank it in 250 years ago. No multi-storeys piercing the skyline, no smoky factories and very few houses. The Bard was a regular visitor to the area to visit a patron, the 11th Earl of Eglinton, Sir Archibald Montgomerie.
It is believed he stayed with the nobleman – who helped to fund Burns’s Edinburgh Edition, published in 1787 – at Neilston House, in the Renfrewshire town of the same name.
Reputedly built for the Earl in 1750, the property was one of the most prominent residences in the town – and is as impressive today as it was then.
Neilston, named the best place to live in Scotland by the Royal Mail in 2017, is 12 miles south of Glasgow, on the hills which fall back towards Burns’s native Ayrshire.
This is quite a spacious country house. Laid out over two floors, the accommodation stretches to 3,738 square feet (347 sq m) and includes a turret with spiral staircase.
When the property went on the market, a frequent former visitor was kindly offered a tour by the current owners, recognising the emotional attachment some people have towards houses.
Elsie Weatherston’s grandparents lived at Neilston House from 1949 until 1967, but found it so big they occupied only half of their home.
Ms Weatherston, 64, a retired teacher from nearby Clarkston, said: ‘I can remember visiting there from about the age of five.
‘For us, the garden was a big adventure playground. We would climb trees, walls and I remember the summer house on the lawn, with chickens running around. The house played a big part in the life of our family. My mother was married there in 1950 and each New Year’s Day all our relatives would gather to celebrate.
‘It was also the starting place for the local hunt. I only know that from cine films my father shot, which show me in the background terrified of the horses and hounds.
‘You see trays of whisky and sherry being offered to the hunt once they had returned.’
When you step through the front door of Neilston House you find yourself in the drawing room, which is dominated by a huge stone fireplace. Unusually, there is a staircase to the side of the room, leading to the upper floor.
The drawing room also allows access to the family room or study, which has another staircase in the corner turret.
A stove is set into yet another fireplace in the dual aspect sitting room, which provides views to the side and rear gardens. The dining room has perhaps the best groundfloor views, overlooking the front gardens and countryside beyond.
The conservatory is bright, airy and big enough to accommodate a dining table.
The country-style kitchen has been refitted, with wall-mounted and floor-standing units, integrated appliances and fine worktops.
The lower ground floor has a games room and store, while upstairs, a spacious and bright landing leads to all double bedroom suites. The master enjoys a terrific panorama of the countryside, fitted wardrobes and en suite shower room. There are three more bedrooms on this level.
What might Burns make of Neilston House if he were to come back today? He would certainly notice the view has changed but it might inspire him to pen a new poem... To a House.