The Glen, Scottish Borders
Encyclopedia
The Glen, also known as Glen House, is an estate and country house in southern Scotland. It is located in the glen of the Quair Water, around 5 kilometres (3.1 mi) south-west of Innerleithen
, and 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) south-east of Peebles
, in the Scottish Borders
. The estate is recorded from the 13th century, but the present Glen House was built in the mid 19th century. The house is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
, the national listing of significant gardens. Besides the house, the Temple, stables, and the "Lion Gate" are also category A listed.
. The estate was later split up, and comprised the two estates of Easter Glen and Wester Glen by the 18th century. It was reunited under the ownership of Edinburgh banker Alexander Allan in 1796, who purchsed Easter Glen in that year for £10,500. His son William Allan, Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1829–1831, commissioned William Henry Playfair
to extend the existing farmhouse. The first parklands were laid out at this time, with drainage and planting carried out around the house, and a garden temple, designed by Playfair, was built.
In 1852, The Glen was purchased, alogn with 3500 acres (1,416.4 ha) by the industrialist Charles Tennant
(1823–1906). Tennant commissioned David Bryce
to design a new house, which was built in the Scottish Baronial style between 1854 and 1855. Bryce was commissioned to add a tower to the house in 1874. Tennant also carried out improvements in the parks until the 1890s, adding farm buildings, a kitchen garden, estate cottages and a school.
Tennant sat in Parliament from 1879 to 1885, in which year he was made a baronet
. His family became prominent members of late Victorian and Edwardian society, and The Glen was regularly used by shooting parties. In 1894 his daughter Margaret married the future Prime Minister Herbert Asquith. On Sir Charles' death in 1906 the estate passed to his son Edward
(1859–1920), who was created Baron Glenconner
in 1911.
Following a fire at The Glen in 1905, Robert Lorimer
was commissioned to oversee repairs and remodelling of the interior. Formal gardens were also added at this time, to Lorimer's design. Further interior decoration was carried out by family friend Syrie Maugham in the 1920s. Another family friend, Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister, visited The Glen on several occasions. The Glen is still owned and lived in by the Tennant family, and is leased out for film shoots and conferences.
Innerleithen
Innerleithen is a small town in the committee area of Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders.-Etymology:The name "Innerleithen" comes from the Scottish Gaelic meaning "confluence of the Leithen", because it is here that the river joins the Tweed. The prefix "Inner-/Inver-" is common in many Scottish...
, and 9 kilometres (5.6 mi) south-east of Peebles
Peebles
Peebles is a burgh in the committee area of Tweeddale, in the Scottish Borders, lying on the River Tweed. According to the 2001 Census, the population was 8,159.-History:...
, in the Scottish Borders
Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders is one of 32 local government council areas of Scotland. It is bordered by Dumfries and Galloway in the west, South Lanarkshire and West Lothian in the north west, City of Edinburgh, East Lothian, Midlothian to the north; and the non-metropolitan counties of Northumberland...
. The estate is recorded from the 13th century, but the present Glen House was built in the mid 19th century. The house is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included in the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland
The Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland is a listing of gardens and designed landscapes of national artistic and/or historical significance, in Scotland. The Inventory was originally compiled in 1987, although it is a continually evolving list...
, the national listing of significant gardens. Besides the house, the Temple, stables, and the "Lion Gate" are also category A listed.
History
In 1296, it is recorded that Sarra of the Glen swore allegiance to King Edward I of EnglandEdward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
. The estate was later split up, and comprised the two estates of Easter Glen and Wester Glen by the 18th century. It was reunited under the ownership of Edinburgh banker Alexander Allan in 1796, who purchsed Easter Glen in that year for £10,500. His son William Allan, Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1829–1831, commissioned William Henry Playfair
William Henry Playfair
William Henry Playfair FRSE was one of the greatest Scottish architects of the 19th century, designer of many of Edinburgh's neo-classical landmarks in the New Town....
to extend the existing farmhouse. The first parklands were laid out at this time, with drainage and planting carried out around the house, and a garden temple, designed by Playfair, was built.
In 1852, The Glen was purchased, alogn with 3500 acres (1,416.4 ha) by the industrialist Charles Tennant
Sir Charles Tennant, 1st Baronet
Sir Charles Clow Tennant, 1st Baronet Scottish businessman, industrialist and Liberal politician.-Biography:...
(1823–1906). Tennant commissioned David Bryce
David Bryce
David Bryce FRSE FRIBA RSA was a Scottish architect. Born in Edinburgh, he was educated at the Royal High School and joined the office of architect William Burn in 1825, aged 22. By 1841, Bryce had risen to be Burn's partner...
to design a new house, which was built in the Scottish Baronial style between 1854 and 1855. Bryce was commissioned to add a tower to the house in 1874. Tennant also carried out improvements in the parks until the 1890s, adding farm buildings, a kitchen garden, estate cottages and a school.
Tennant sat in Parliament from 1879 to 1885, in which year he was made a baronet
Baronet
A baronet or the rare female equivalent, a baronetess , is the holder of a hereditary baronetcy awarded by the British Crown...
. His family became prominent members of late Victorian and Edwardian society, and The Glen was regularly used by shooting parties. In 1894 his daughter Margaret married the future Prime Minister Herbert Asquith. On Sir Charles' death in 1906 the estate passed to his son Edward
Edward Tennant, 1st Baron Glenconner
Edward Priaulx Tennant, 1st Baron Glenconner , known as Sir Edward Tennant, 2nd Baronet, from 1906 to 1911, was a Scottish Liberal politician....
(1859–1920), who was created Baron Glenconner
Baron Glenconner
Baron Glenconner, of The Glen in the County of Peebles, is a title in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. It was created in 1911 for Sir Edward Tennant, 2nd Baronet, who had earlier represented Salisbury in the House of Commons as a Liberal and also served as Lord Lieutenant of Peeblesshire. Lord...
in 1911.
Following a fire at The Glen in 1905, Robert Lorimer
Robert Lorimer
Sir Robert Stodart Lorimer was a prolific Scottish architect noted for his restoration work on historic houses and castles, and for promotion of the Arts and Crafts style.-Early life:...
was commissioned to oversee repairs and remodelling of the interior. Formal gardens were also added at this time, to Lorimer's design. Further interior decoration was carried out by family friend Syrie Maugham in the 1920s. Another family friend, Princess Margaret, the Queen's sister, visited The Glen on several occasions. The Glen is still owned and lived in by the Tennant family, and is leased out for film shoots and conferences.