Architectural Features & Points of Interest
The Main House
The original house structure was built in the late 17th century with Victorian additions in the 19th century. The house has many surviving features from the 17th century including moulded timber wall manels, elaborate plasterwork, decorative timber staircase, fire surrounds with mosaic tiles.
The main or Laigh (pronounced lay) hall wasn’t as it is now in the 17th century, Alexander Wilson made some additions to the house including removing the drawing room floor to make the Laigh hall a large double-height entrance room which really does take your breath away. He also added the vestibule which is on the front of the house today and an extension to the back of the house with a beautiful grand staircase.
The Drawing Room
The drawing room or “the burnt room” as our volunteers lovingly call it, was severely fire damaged in the 1970’s by vandals. Our amazing volunteers have since cleaned and cleared the room which has highlighted many great features and it really is a beautiful room.
The Laundry
When you visit the house, you must not miss the opportunity to see the laundry room. It really is like stepping back in time and you can feel the hard work that went into the daily routine. Sinks, boiler, wringer stand, stoves and ropes along the ceiling to hang the washing can still be seen today.
The Kitchen
The amazing and beautiful green stove that is the focal point of the room, against matching green tiles is fascinating. Locally made by Graham & Morton Ironmongers in Stirling, it really is an amazing piece of equipment and you can imagine many a meal being made by the hard-working cooks, maids and servants.
Principle State Room (The Blue Room)
This bedroom has a unique adjoining room with its own fireplace, which was perhaps a cloakroom for the lady of the house to get ready in. The main room has a highly decorated plaster ceiling like the one in the Laigh hall (the room is mainly blue which is where the original name came from) and it has been suggested that perhaps they were created by John Houlbert and George Dunsterfield who also produced similar ceilings at Holyrood Palace!
Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Bedroom
Although there is no guarantee that this is where the Bonnie Prince slept, we can be pretty sure due to a key that was found in a recess of the wall in this bedroom believed to be the key to Stirling. Find out about the story of the key here and when the key came back to the house for a short visit in 2020!
