Conaglen House

Conaglen House, David Bryce, 1862 Shooting lodge built for Lord Morton, the principal feature of its main block being Bryce's trademark full-height canted bay, crisply corbelled out to form a crowstepped gable. Extensive lower ranges included a smoking room extension to the north west, c.1920, and a chapel by the entrance (removed early 1950s, when fittings were transferred to Ardgour Church). Detached service block with central arched pend looks earlier. Sited at the junction of Glens Cona and Scaddle, where their converging waters run into Inverscaddle Bay, Conaglen replaced the old Maclean tacksman's house of Inverscaddle, fragments of which have recently been discovered in the kitchen wing. Here, in 1828, Glengarry (see p.74) died of an injury sustained during a shipwreck.

Taken from "Western Seaboard: An Illustrated Architectural Guide", by Mary Miers, 2008. Published by the Rutland Press http://www.rias.org.uk

Inverscadle House.

Architect: Alexander Ross

EXTERNAL REFERENCE

Scottish Record Office

(1) Abstract of expense of laltering on plans. David Bryce Esq., Architect.

Whole work of chapel. Additional depth of walls to raise the whole to the proposed level of house #270:0:0

Facing the whole including moulded work of chancel arch #115:0:0

Porch #65:0:0

Placing the store place under the mansion house #48:0:0

Proposed offices. Whole expense. #432:0:0

1861-1862 GD 150/2672

Document signed Laurence Black, Surveyor, Edinburgh. 1861.

1861

(2) see paper file

Different sections priced.

(3) In place of polished pavement give pavement without being polished. Continue the asphalt over the surface of walls but allow all the other alterations as suggested by Mr Bryce.

ND Unsigned

(4) Letter from James Dalgleish. He has written to Mr Bryce to have the attics for Inverscadle House completed at a cost of #248 and the kitchens for #369.

Written to the Earl of Morton at Dalmahoy.

(5) Letter to David Bryce from Edward and Lawrence Black, Surveyors.

Gives prices for work at Inverscadle House. #369 for offices and #248 flooring of attics.

1861

(6) Letter from David Bryce to E. of Morton

Re: his charges 5% on outlay

Travelling expenses

#4.4 per day

1861

(7) Abstract of Estimates for Inverscaddle. Still some to come from the Ratho people. [Firms from Oban, Peterhead, Inverness, Glasgow, Ayr, Houston, Edinburgh].

Letter from David Bryce.

Total so far #4754 16

1861

(8) Copies of letters James Dalgleish and David Bryce re. his fee which may amount to more than #2655.

D.B. has proposed altering stone stair to one of wood in order to balance any extra cost.

1861

(9) Letter to David Bryce from E. of Morton at Inverscadle re. alterations to Kitchen and Chapel. He encloses plans from 'Mr Stewart's Nephew'.

N.D.

(10) D.B. complains to James Dalgelish about loss of estimate for attic.

Expense of alterations on Plans enclosed. #1010

1861

(11) Letters concerning shipment of ashlar for inside of chapel at Inverscadle.

From Alex. Steuart, Peterhead.

(12) Copy. Letter from David Bryce. Amount totals #3770.5.10

1862

(13) Letter concerning charge for raising walls of Inverscadle House

1862 GD 150/2672

Scottish Record Office:

Expense of the Kitchen Offices if unpolished pavement is substituted for tiles and asphalt laid over the walls amounts to #369.5.10

Letter from Edward and Lawrence Black, Surveyors.

3 January

1861 GD 150/2672/1

Estimates for the completion of the attics and the kitchen at Inverscadle House.

Attics: #248

Kitchen: #369.5.10

Letter from James Dalgleish to the Earl of Morton.

8 January

1861 GD 150/2672/2

Letter from David Bryce, Architect. He agrees to alter his sketches and informs the Earl of Morton of his professional charges.

12 January

1861 GD 150/2672/3

Abstract of the various estimates for building Inverscadle House (Conaglen). In his covering letter to the Earl of Morton, David Bryce, Architect agrees to see what reductions in extent might be made but considers that taking off the Upper storey would not reduce the cost to what Lord Morton expects. The final estimate is #4754.16.0

27 April

1861 GD 150/2672/4

Letter from James Dalgleish to the Earl of Morton. He encloses copies of his correspondance with David Bryce, Architect, concerning the expense of any additonal work.

7 August

1861 GD 150/ 2672/6

Letter to David Brce concerning plans for kitchen premises which the writer has drawn. It is estimated that they could be built for about #140- not in the superior style of the main part of the house but 'just in the common way'.

Lord Morton wishes a chapel built adjoining the house. It is to be a copy of the English Church at Carlsbad and the writer believes it could be erected for #280.

29 October

1861 GD 150/2672/7-8x

Abstract of the expense of alterations to David Bryce's Plans. It includes a chapel, porch and kitchen premises. The cost of a chapel amounts to #270 but if the interior is faced with ashlar and moulded work of the chancel is included it will cost a further #115.

Covering letter from James Dalgleish.

23 December.

1861 GD 150/2672/10 and 11

Letter from David Bryce, Architect and copy letter from Alex Steuart concerning ashlar quarried for the chapel.

8 January

1862 GD 150/2672/13

Note of Expenditure on the erection of the Inverscadle House. It includes the Chapel, Porch, Store, Completion of attics and kitchen offices and amounts to #3770.5.10

Copy letter from David Bryce, Architect to James Dalgleish and covering letter from James Dalgleish to Lord Morton.

20 June

1862 GD 150/2672/14

Letter concerning the proposal to raise the walls of Inverscadle House 12". David Bryce agrees to ask Mr Balck, the Surveyor to prepare an estimate.

Covering letter from James Dalgleish.

1 July

1862 GD 150/2672/15