Ross Priory
Encyclopedia
Ross Priory is a category A listed building located west of Gartocharn
, West Dunbartonshire
, on the south shore of Loch Lomond
. Although the term "Priory
" implies some ecclesiastical provenance, this is not the case, being simply a 19th century romantic
affectation.
during the 11th century. A dwelling is known to have existed on the site from as early as 1693. It is reported that in 1745 the Leith-Buchanans were
cursed by the Marquess of Tullibardine, who, in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden
asked James Leith-Buchanan, 5th of Ross, for shelter at the Priory but was instead betrayed and given over to King George
's men. Tullibardine cursed them with the utterance:
The Marquess's curse came to pass when, in 1925, the Leith-Buchanan's male line finally died out and the house was leased to Major George J.H. Christie, a veteran of World War I, remaining in the family's possession until shortly after the Major's death. Christie was responsible for the development and cultivation of the Priory's surrounding gardens. The Priory was sold to the University of Strathclyde
in 1971, despite objections from the local population.
style country house. It was designed in 1812 by Dunblane
-born architect James Gillespie Graham
(1776-1855) as an extensive remodelling of the site's existing farmhouse. Ross Priory comprises approximately 200 acre (0.809372 km²) of land and includes a formal garden, parkland, a burial ground and golf course.
from impressions formed during annual visits to the Priory. A room on the first floor is named for him.
Gartocharn
Gartocharn is a village in West Dunbartonshire in Scotland. It is the only village in the parish of Kilmaronock . The parish has a population of 1,051....
, West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire
West Dunbartonshire is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland. Bordering onto the west of the City of Glasgow, containing many of Glasgow's commuter towns and villages as well as the city's suburbs, West Dunbartonshire also borders onto Argyll and Bute, Stirling, East...
, on the south shore of Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is a freshwater Scottish loch, lying on the Highland Boundary Fault. It is the largest lake in Great Britain by surface area. The lake contains many islands, including Inchmurrin, the largest fresh-water island in the British Isles, although the lake itself is smaller than many Irish...
. Although the term "Priory
Priory
A priory is a house of men or women under religious vows that is headed by a prior or prioress. Priories may be houses of mendicant friars or religious sisters , or monasteries of monks or nuns .The Benedictines and their offshoots , the Premonstratensians, and the...
" implies some ecclesiastical provenance, this is not the case, being simply a 19th century romantic
Romanticism
Romanticism was an artistic, literary and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Europe, and gained strength in reaction to the Industrial Revolution...
affectation.
History
The history of Ross Priory began with the Buchanan ClanClan Buchanan
Clan Buchanan is an Armigerous Scottish clan whose origins are said to lie in the 1225 grant of lands on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond to clergyman Sir Absalon of Buchanan by the Earl of Lennox.-Origins:...
during the 11th century. A dwelling is known to have existed on the site from as early as 1693. It is reported that in 1745 the Leith-Buchanans were
cursed by the Marquess of Tullibardine, who, in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden
Battle of Culloden
The Battle of Culloden was the final confrontation of the 1745 Jacobite Rising. Taking place on 16 April 1746, the battle pitted the Jacobite forces of Charles Edward Stuart against an army commanded by William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, loyal to the British government...
asked James Leith-Buchanan, 5th of Ross, for shelter at the Priory but was instead betrayed and given over to King George
George II of Great Britain
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and Archtreasurer and Prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death.George was the last British monarch born outside Great Britain. He was born and brought up in Northern Germany...
's men. Tullibardine cursed them with the utterance:
- "There will be Murrays on the Braes of Atholl land when there’s ne’er a Buchanan at the Ross.”
The Marquess's curse came to pass when, in 1925, the Leith-Buchanan's male line finally died out and the house was leased to Major George J.H. Christie, a veteran of World War I, remaining in the family's possession until shortly after the Major's death. Christie was responsible for the development and cultivation of the Priory's surrounding gardens. The Priory was sold to the University of Strathclyde
University of Strathclyde
The University of Strathclyde , Glasgow, Scotland, is Glasgow's second university by age, founded in 1796, and receiving its Royal Charter in 1964 as the UK's first technological university...
in 1971, despite objections from the local population.
Architecture
Ross Priory has been described as a Scottish GothicGothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style country house. It was designed in 1812 by Dunblane
Dunblane
Dunblane is a small cathedral city and former burgh north of Stirling in the Stirling council area of Scotland. The town is situated off the A9 road, on the way north to Perth. Its main landmark is Dunblane Cathedral and the Allan Water runs through the town centre, with the Cathedral and the High...
-born architect James Gillespie Graham
James Gillespie Graham
James Gillespie Graham was a Scottish architect, born in Dunblane. He is most notable for his work in the Scottish baronial style, as at Ayton Castle, and he worked in the Gothic Revival style, in which he was heavily influenced by the work of Augustus Pugin...
(1776-1855) as an extensive remodelling of the site's existing farmhouse. Ross Priory comprises approximately 200 acre (0.809372 km²) of land and includes a formal garden, parkland, a burial ground and golf course.
Famous Visitors
Sir Walter Scott is said to have taken inspiration for his Waverley NovelsWaverley Novels
The Waverley Novels are a long series of books by Sir Walter Scott. For nearly a century they were among the most popular and widely-read novels in all of Europe. Because he did not publicly acknowledge authorship until 1827, they take their name from Waverley , which was the first...
from impressions formed during annual visits to the Priory. A room on the first floor is named for him.
Current Use
Ross Priory is now commonly used for meetings and entertainment by staff and graduates of Strathclyde University, as well as being a popular wedding venue. Its surrounding gardens, woodlands and parkland are deemed Open under Scotland's Gardens Scheme, access by appointment.See also
- List of abbeys and priories in Ireland (County Cork)