The house from a circa 1903 postcard
Earlier Houses: An earlier house was incorporated into the current house.
House & Family History: Ardross Castle, as seen today, is the creation of Sir Alexander Matheson (1805-86), who purchased the 60,000-acre Ardross Estate in 1839 from the 2nd Duke of Sutherland for £90,000 (approximately £68 million in 2016 inflation-adjusted values using the labour value commodity index) and completely rebuilt the earlier house. Sir Alexander, a founder of Matheson & Co., made a fortune in tea and opium trading.
Architect: George Rhind
Date: 1846Architect: Alexander Ross
Date: 1880-81John Bernard (J.B.) Burke, published under the title of A Visitation of the Seats and Arms of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of Great Britain and Ireland, among other titles: 2.S. Vol. II, p. 85, 1855.
House Listed: Category A
Park Listed: Listed as a Garden & Designed Landscape
Current Seat / Home of: McTaggart family; here since 1983.
Past Seat / Home of: George Granville Leveson-Gower, 1st Duke of Sutherland, 18th century. Sir Alexander Matheson, 19th century; Sir Kenneth Matheson, 19th century. Charles William Dyson-Perrins, 19th century. Austin Mardon, 20th century.
Current Ownership Type: Individual / Family Trust
Primary Current Ownership Use: Private Home
Ownership Details: The house can be hired for conferences and private events.
House Open to Public: By Appointment
Phone: 01349-882-550
Website: https://ardrosscastle.co.uk/
Historic Houses Member: No