The History of the House
- Ben Lomond
- Castle ruins on the estate
Gartmore House has played a significant part in Scottish History. Since it was built in 1793, this atmospheric house has witnessed the formation of the Labour Party, and Scottish National party. Robert Burns has written and entertained in the lounge and Charles Rennie Mackintosh student David Barclay redesigned the building. Here is a synopsis of the house's history:
1793
Present house built by William Adam. House owned by Graham family and latterly by R. B. Cunninghame Graham: author traveller and horseman who spent a number of years in South America. A member of parliament from 1886 to 1892 and president of the National Party of Scotland in the late 1920's. The house was then sold to pay death duties.
1900
House bought by Sir Charles Cayzer. Architect David Barclay (pupil of Charles Rennie Mackintosh) re-designed the west front, added the tower and altered the roofs. The moondial was removed in the 1950's to the Cayzer family burial ground behind Gartmore parish church. The Cayzer family motto above the door means "Cautiously but Fearlessly".
1940
Army commandeered the estate and Gartmore House became a barracks until 1950. Privates were on the ground floor, officers on the first floor and they dined in the mews courtyard. After the war, the Cayzer family didn't take it back.
1950-53
Developers sold off parts of the estate.
1953
The Archdiocese of Glasgow bought the house to establish St Ninian's, a list D school run by the De La Salle brothers, a Roman Catholic religious order. The outbuildings were added to provide classrooms.
1980-83
Developers sold off the houses.
1983-88
Gartmore House lay dormant
1987
The Way in Great Britain bought the house for their European base.
1995-97
Once again, Gartmore House lay empty
1997
Cloverley Hall bought the house with Peter and Anne Sunderland and it became a Conference and Activity centre.
2000
Cloverley Hall was bought out and Gartmore House ran as a charitable trust with a Board of Directors, namely George Russell (formerly of Scotland the Brand), Peter Taylor, (hotelier) and Peter & Anne Sunderland.
2004
Sadly, Chairman of the board, George Russell passed away in September 2004. It was around this time that Gartmore House was invited to acquire the interests of Carberry Towers. Peter Kimber (formerly chief executive Scottish Curriculum Authority and Scripture Union, England and Wales) and Rev Mike Parker (director of the Evangelical Alliance, Scotland) were invited onto the board.
2008
Gartmore House is now growing as a conference centre and destination for activity holidays.The activity centre has been refurbished to provide high standard, wheelchair access, dormitory accommodation for our schools and youth groups. The house has changed its oil fired heating system to Biomass heating.
We have undertaken a major refurbishment of Carberry Tower which will provide the highest standard of ensuite accommodation in this beautiful historic building.
