House for sale in Islay House, Bridgend, Isle of Islay, Ar

Mileage

Bowmore 3 miles, Islay Airport 7 miles, Machrie Golf Course 9 miles.

Description

Islay House is one of Scotland's most magnificent mansion houses and is listed Category A.

The building of Islay House for Sir Hugh Campbell of Cawdor began in 1677during the reign of Charles II. Sir Hugh’s great-grandfather, Sir John, had been granted "Ye lands of Ylay and Rynnis" by Crown Charter in 1614 in an attempt by the state to bring the rebellious residents of Islay to order. The plot chosen for the new mansion house lay amongst the most fertile land at the head of Loch Indaal, with a panoramic view across the waters to the Kilchoman peninsula.

Alterations and additions were made to the house through history, extensively in the 1730s, when the gable-fronted north wing was added, and again in the 1760s, when matching octagonal staircases were added to the north and south wings, along with the main front entrance with double doors, pillars and fanlight. In 1841, Scotland’s prolific architect William Playfair, created substantial sandstone service buildings in the Scottish Baronial style, which comprised a deer larder, dry goods larder, wine cellar, butler’s pantries, housekeeper’s suite and other staff quarters on three floors with extensive kitchen space and stores.

The present day house is substantial and impressive but has a practical layout for every day living. The principal rooms are in the central part of the house with the former servants’ accommodation in the north east wing. Special features include beautiful curving staircases at either end of the central section, an impressive reception hall and well proportioned reception rooms. There are period fireplaces throughout and decorative features such as fine cornices, wooden panelling and working window shutters.

Accommodation

See floor plan.

Situation

Islay House is in the heart of the island of Islay, just outside the small village of Bridgend. The house has a magnificent setting at the head of Loch Indaal with a superb outlook down the loch and out to sea.
Islay is the most southerly of the Hebridean islands off the west coast of Scotland. It is approximately 25 miles long north-south and 20 miles wide east-west and has about 3,500 permanent residents. Islay is famous for a number of things: perhaps primarily for its excellent Islay single malt whiskies from the eight working distilleries. Islay is also very popular among birdwatchers, in particular for its barnacle geese from Greenland. There are a number of important historic sites, including several standing stones, ancient chapels, Celtic crosses and Finlaggan, home to the Lords of the Isles. Islay has beautiful beaches as well as some impressive cliffs and spectacular natural landscapes.

Bridgend has a shop, hotel and petrol station. Bowmore, the main village on the island, is 3 miles away and offers a range of shops for daily needs, including a supermarket, and banks as well as hotels, restaurants, a leisure centre and the island's hospital. Bowmore harbour is a sheltered base for mariners.

There are excellent opportunities for sporting activities such as walking, fishing and sailing, and golf on the renowned 18 hole Machrie Golf Course. Game fishing on the island’s lochs, spate rivers and burns can be arranged at the various estate offices, as well as deer stalking and bird shooting, sporting clays etc.

Islay enjoys a rich cultural heritage which it celebrates in the form of Feis Ile, the annual festival of malt and music, a summer jazz festival and the Cantilena Festival of chamber music and art.

Directions

From Port Ellen or Islay Airport take the A846 north through Bowmore and continue to Bridgend. In Bridgend cross the bridge, turn left and the gates to Islay House are on the right hand side alongside a gate house.

From Port Askaig take the A846 west to Bridgend. Turn right just before the bridge. The gates to Islay House are on the right hand side.