Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull
Photo © Allister Combe, 25 June 2009
Torosay Castle - garden statues
Photo © wjmarnoch, 30 July 2008
Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull
Photo © wjmarnoch, 30 July 2008
Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull Photo © Allister Combe, 25 June 2009 |
Torosay Castle - garden statues Photo © wjmarnoch, 30 July 2008 |
Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull Photo © wjmarnoch, 30 July 2008 |
Torosay Castle is a large house situated 1½ miles south of Craignure on the Isle of Mull, in the Scottish Inner Hebrides.
It was designed by architect David Bryce for John Campbell of Possil (see Carter-Campbell of Possil) in the Scottish Baronial style, and completed in 1858. Torosay is surrounded by 12 acres (49,000 m2) of spectacular gardens including formal terraces laid out at the turn of the 20th century and attributed to Sir Robert Lorimer. While remaining a much-loved family home, the castle and gardens are open to the public, being linked to the Craignure ferry terminal by the Isle of Mull Railway.
The garden's Statue Walk is made up of 19 statues in the style of Italian sculptor Antonio Bonazza. Considered by experts to be the finest example of 18th century statuary outside Italy, they were acquired by then-owner Walter Murray Guthrie from a derelict garden near Milan and shipped to Scotland for next to nothing as ballast in a cargo ship.
Torosay Castle, Isle of Mull
Photo © Rob Farrow, 22
Oct. 2006
John Campbell of Possil sold the castle and the estate to Arburthnot Charles Guthrie in 1865, a wealthy London businessman. It served as his "getaway" and must have been ideal for that purpose as the castle has over 60 rooms and is surrounded by an estate of over 12,000 acres (49 km2). The current owner is now the sixth generation of the Guthrie family to have lived in the castle. Following the sale of Guthrie Castle out of the Guthrie family, Torosay is now generally acknowledged as the seat for Clan Guthrie.
The novelist Angela du Maurier, older sister of Dame Daphne du Maurier, is said to have spent some time residing at Torosay after her close companion Olive Guthrie (Great Grandmother of the present owner) was left a widow by the death of her husband Walter.
In July 2008 the oldest still-existing bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne was discovered inside a sideboard in Torosay Castle. The 1893 bottle was in mint condition, having been kept in the dark sideboard since at least 1897. The champagne is now on display at the Veuve Clicquot visitor centre in Reims, France, and regarded "priceless".
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