Scotland: The Grounds at Dunrobin Castle (Photo Diary)

Dunrobin Castle is the family seat of the Earl of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland. Dunrobin Castle dates to 1275 but was renovated in the mid-1800’s. With 189 rooms this is the largest mansion in northern Scotland. In 1850, the architect Sir Charles Barry laid out the Gardens. We visited this castle on a CIE Coach Tour. Shown below are some photographs of the castle’s Garden.

The Museum

       The building which houses the museum was originally built in 1732 as a summer house for the 17^th Earl of Sutherland. It was converted to a museum in 1878 and a back roof was added. It houses Sutherland family relicts (including the 400 trophy heads of animals shot by family members) and archaeological relicts from the county of Sutherland. The archaeological relicts include Pictish stones. In the book Dunrobin Castle, Lord Strathnaver writes:

“The Pictish stones form a very important collection, giving an opportunity to study the devices carved on stones 1,500 years ago.”

Other items in the museum include weapons, coins, Queen Victoria’s handkerchief, Garibaldi’s slippers, and Lord Raglan’s cap. In his book Castles of Britain and Ireland, Rodney Castleden writes:

“It is not a museum in any modern sense, but a fine example of an 18^th- or 19^th-century ‘cabinet of curiosities’ and therefore a museum piece in itself.”

Like the castle, no photography was allowed in the museum.