Glencruitten House, Oban
Saturday 6th September 2003
The house was first built in 1897, on a bare hill, for its stunning views across the Sound of Mull for the Shelly-Bonteyn family (close relatives of he famous writer and explorer Robert Cunningham-Graham). In 1927-28 Glencruitten House was extensively altered internally and added to for Alexander Mackay by Sir Robert Lorimer; the library and estate office wing and the staff wing being the main additions, as well as the totally new guest house known as Luachrach Bungalow and adjacent loch.
Alexander Mackay bought Glencruitten and the neighbouring Ardconnel Estates in 1917 (and later also the contiguous Estate of Inverlonan) after his existing house, Fort or Rock Know, in Broughty Ferry, Angus, burned down and in order for Mackay to indulge in a particular interest – afforestation. It is for this reason that there is a somewhat eclectic collection of furniture . . .
Alexander Mackay being too busy by 1917 to spend too long rebuilding his collections. Mackay was a chartered accountant who took a great interest in the developing markets of North America and was deeply involved in Cattle Ranching, Copper Mining and Oil Production, as well as in timber and fruit growing. He became chairman or director of, among other companies, the Matador Land and Cattle Company, Shell Oil Corporation, The Anglo-Egyptian Oil Company, Toreador Royalties, Mackay Estates and Senior Founding Partner of Mackay Irons CA.
It was Alexander Mackay who undertook the extensive tree planting programme and garden landscaping which has resulted in Glencruitten House’s now idyllic setting.
