Ardross Castle by @castlesofscotland 🍂 ▫️ Ardross Castle lies north-west of Alness, in the Averon valley. It began life as a hunting lodge, built for the 1st Duke of Sutherland in late 1700s. In 1845, the 2nd Duke sold the estate to Alexander Matheson, a partner in the firm Jardine Matheson, which traded in tea and opium. After amassing considerable wealth he returned to Scotland and purchased the 60,000-acre Ardross Estate for £90,000. ▫️ The architect Alexander Ross was commissioned to re-design Ardross Castle in the Scots Baronial style. The gardens and woodland were extensively improved, as well as estate workers’ housing. By 1875, the number of agricultural tenants on the estate had increased from 109 to over 500. ▫️ Following Sir Alexander’s death, his son, Sir Kenneth Matheson, sold the estate. The new owner, also a successful business man, was C. W. Dyson Perrins, a Captain in the Highland Light Infantry, with interests in the Worcester Royal Porcelain Company and Lea & Perrins (Worcester sauce). ▫️ In 1937 the estate was broken up and sold. Mr & Mrs Austin Mardon purchased Ardross Castle, Lealty Farm and over 80 acres and lived there until 1983, when the estate was sold to the McTaggart family. ▫️ ——————————————————————————— #lovescotland #scotland #scottish #visitscotland #stag #visualsoflife #thisisscotland #master_shots #instascotland #fall #harrypotter #discoverglobe #discoverearth #roamtheplanet #beautifuldestinations #passionpassport #autumn #discoverscotland #folkscenery #scotland_greatshots #kings_villages #greatnorthcollective #mytinyatlas #travellingthroughtheworld #travelblogger #earthfocus #traveltheworld #earthpix #exploretocreate