Black Clauchrie House
Encyclopedia
Black Clauchrie House is a late Victorian
manor house, located on the outskirts of the village of Barrhill
in South Ayrshire
, Scotland
, adjacent to the Galloway Forest Park
. It is protected as a category C(s) listed building.
It was originally built as a hunting lodge
between 1898 and 1901 in the Arts and Crafts
style for Robert David Jardine Mein-Austin (1864–1910) and his wife Flora. The house was designed by the Ayrshire-based architect James K. Hunter (1863–1929). Some of its features include a wood-beamed glass house
, a ballroom
and a minstrels' gallery
. Some of the house was taken down by owners Richard Akerman and Yvonne Hawker before 2003. Originally part of a 7500 acres (30.4 km²) estate, it is now set in 14 acres (56,656 m²) of land.
Although under private ownership the estate is run as a business, with holiday cottages available and the main house also available for hire.
In 2009, Black Clauchrie House was the subject of a Channel 4
television documentary presented by hotelier Ruth Watson
as part of the Country House Rescue
series.
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
manor house, located on the outskirts of the village of Barrhill
Barrhill, South Ayrshire
Barrhill is a village in South Ayrshire, Scotland with a population of approximately 400 in 2001.While the surrounding area is predominantly agricultural land, the main local employer is Barr Construction Ltd. Local amenities include a village store and a Public House, "The Trout Inn", formerly...
in South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire
South Ayrshire is one of 32 council areas of Scotland, covering the southern part of Ayrshire. It borders onto East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and Dumfries and Galloway....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, adjacent to the Galloway Forest Park
Galloway Forest Park
Galloway Forest Park is a woodland park in Scotland, principally covering woodland in Dumfries and Galloway. It is operated by Forestry Commission Scotland....
. It is protected as a category C(s) listed building.
It was originally built as a hunting lodge
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
between 1898 and 1901 in the Arts and Crafts
Arts and Crafts movement
Arts and Crafts was an international design philosophy that originated in England and flourished between 1860 and 1910 , continuing its influence until the 1930s...
style for Robert David Jardine Mein-Austin (1864–1910) and his wife Flora. The house was designed by the Ayrshire-based architect James K. Hunter (1863–1929). Some of its features include a wood-beamed glass house
Glasshouses
Glasshouses is a small village in Nidderdale, North Yorkshire, England. It lies about 1 mile south east of Pateley Bridge on the east side of Nidderdale and has a recently rebuilt river bridge across the river Nidd....
, a ballroom
Ballroom
A ballroom is a large room inside a building, the designated purpose of which is holding formal dances called balls. Traditionally, most balls were held in private residences; many mansions contain one or more ballrooms...
and a minstrels' gallery
Minstrels' gallery
A minstrels' gallery is a form of balcony, often inside the great hall of a castle or manor house, and used to allow musicians to perform, sometimes discreetly hidden from the guests below.-Notable minstrel's galleries:...
. Some of the house was taken down by owners Richard Akerman and Yvonne Hawker before 2003. Originally part of a 7500 acres (30.4 km²) estate, it is now set in 14 acres (56,656 m²) of land.
Although under private ownership the estate is run as a business, with holiday cottages available and the main house also available for hire.
In 2009, Black Clauchrie House was the subject of a Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
television documentary presented by hotelier Ruth Watson
Ruth Watson
Ruth Watson , is an English hotelier, broadcaster and food writer.-Early life and career:Born in London, Ruth Watson was educated in London and at Westonbirt School in Gloucestershire...
as part of the Country House Rescue
Country House Rescue
Country House Rescue is an observational documentary series which airs on British terrestrial television channel, Channel 4. The series has also aired on BBC Canada, ABC1 in Australia and Living in New Zealand....
series.