Kinross house

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A beautiful history of Kinross House

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  • 1. Kinross House The most beautiful and regular piece of Architecture in ScotlandBrought to you by: http://www.mackays-self-catering.co.uk/

2. This was Daniel Defoes description of Kinross House, the home built by the remarkable politician on the make Sir William Bruce. So grand were his plans that there were even thoughts it was intended as a royal residence. 3. Important Facts The architect never saw the building fully completed as he soon fell from favour of the new Scottish king. The parts of the interior and grounds that were completed to the original designs were grand enough to attract regular admirers of this fine Scottish estate. 4. Few More Interesting Facts Sir William Bruce had designs on building a major role for himself in the brave new world of late seventeenth century Scottish court life. He started his role in royal circles by remodelling Holyrood House and this lead him to acquiring some positions of power in the new Scottish political world.He had helped Charles II to reach the English throne in 1660 which gave him his baronetcy but proved trouble for him in the future. New found wealth prompted Bruce to buy large Kinross Estate and start to create a lasting piece of Scottish architecture. 5. The building was never going to be cheap extensive drainage works was required to even commence building the house. No one really knows why Bruce fell from favour but his closeness to Charles administration would not have proved popular when James II came to power in 1685. 6. There are also questions as to whether his wealth came from sources not entirely legitimate even at a time when abuse of government power was the norm.Initially however, James appointed Bruce as Privy Councillor so he probably thought the money would keep flowing and he would be safe to commence the build of Kinross House in 1685. 7. His success only lasted a year before his fall from grace became complete with the removal of his lucrative government posts. The cost of 10,000 to build the house did not seem to dissuade Bruce with the politician desperately trying to regain favour. 8. Bruce had spent all his wealth was by the time of his death in 1710 not least shown by the pitiful letters from his wife concerned that she could not go to Edinburgh as she had nothing to wear.He had managed to complete the ground floor rooms but the estate barely managed to struggle on without the finance to support it for another sixty years when, in 1777, it was sold to the Scottish merchant George Graham. 9. Beautiful Views Of Kinross House 10. It was Basil Montgomery, some two hundred years later, who finished the house in the style it deserved. He even bought Bruces own portrait and recrafted the gardens. The Montgomery family held the house until 2010 when at last the financial needs of the house were too much of drain on the family and it was again sold.For more information visit: http://www.mackays-self-catering.co.uk/