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Carlowrie Castle was built in the Scots Baronial style between 1852 and 1855 on the outskirts of Kirkliston, a town approximately 10 miles from Edinburgh.

Carlowrie Castle

It has only ever belonged to two families: the Hutchison family who built it, and the Marshall family who acquired it 130 years later.[1]

Carlowrie Castle double height entrance hall and grand staircase

Architecture

The castle was built to the designs of David Rhind the noted Scottish architect. However, Rhind is best known for his commercial and civic building designs and took on very few domestic projects during his lifetime.[2] Carlowrie Castle is therefore exceptional, both in its own right and as a rare example of Rhind's domestic work in the Scots baronial style.

In 1873 Rhind was invited back to Carlowrie to design outhouses and a gate lodge for the castle.[3]

The castle is situated within the grounds of a 32-acre estate with its own deer herd.

Philpot, Glyn Warren; Sir Thomas Hutchison, Lord Provost of Edinburgh (1921-1923); City of Edinburgh Council

The Hutchison Family

Carlowrie Castle was commissioned by Thomas Hutchison, a prosperous wine merchant and the Provost of Leith.[4] He intended it to be his new family home. Sadly Thomas was never to see the castle completed as he passed away in 1852, leaving his son Robert to complete the project. The castle cost £33,000 to build, a considerable fortune at the time.[5]

The Hutchisons had long-standing and successful trade connections in the port town of Leith and had risen to prominence as a result of their success. Robert Hutchison FRSE, Thomas's heir responsible for completing the castle, was a fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and an expert in arboriculture, leaving the wine trade behind. Two of his sons were knighted for their contributions to the realm: Sir Robert Hutchison, First Baronet of Thurle in Streatly in the County of Berkshire, a respected medical authority and the President of the Royal College of Physicians and Sir Thomas Hutchison, Lord Provost of Edinburgh, First Baronet of Hardiston in the County of Kinross, who held the office from 1921-1923.[6][7] Robert's niece was the renowned Arctic explorer and botanist Isobel Wylie Hutchison.

Unlike Robert Hutchison, his younger brother Thomas Hutchison (Isobel Wylie Hutchison's father) devoted himself the wine trade in the family tradition. Having spent time in India where he set about expanding the business and amassed considerable wealth, he returned and married at the age of 40.[8] For the first few years of his marriage, he lived with his wife at his family's former home of Glendevon House where their eldest two children Nita and Walter were born.[9]

However, Thomas's elder brother's lifestyle and academic pursuits had exhausted the family's fortunes and they had fallen into debt. In 1888, to rescue the reputation of the family and the home where he had grown up, Thomas paid off his brother's debts and took over Carlowrie Castle.[10] Isobel Wylie Hutchison was the first of his children to be born there on 30th May 1889.[11] Two further children were born at the castle, and Carlowrie remained with this branch of the Hutchison family until Isobel's death and subsequent sale of the property in 1982.[12]

Isobel Wylie Hutchison in an eskimo coat on expedition

Carlowrie Castle in the Twentieth Century

The twentieth century was a tumultuous period for the castle. Thomas Hutchison passed away in 1900 after contracting a chill that rapidly developed into pneumonia.[13] He was soon followed by his two sons, one to World War One and the other to a mountaineering accident.[14] The tragedies left scars on the family that were never to heal fully, but in their own way contributed to the burgeoning career of Isobel Wylie Hutchison, endowing her with the independent financial means to fund her expeditions and enabling her to defy convention, steadfastly refusing to marry and settle down.[15] Isobel was awarded the Mungo Park Medal by the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, for whom she later acted as Vice President.[16]

The castle was requisitioned in World War Two and used as a military base. By this point, Isobel was earning an independent income from the books and lectures she presented based on her adventures, and for the botanical specimens that she provided to collectors, museums and botanic gardens.[17] She used the proceeds of these pursuits to renovate the castle once it was returned to her after the war and to install electricity in 1951.[18]

Expeditions aside, Isobel lived at Carlowrie Castle and tended to the grounds throughout her life. She remained at the castle until her death in 1982 at the age of 93.[19]

The Marshall Family

When Carlowrie Castle was put up for sale following Isobel Wylie Hutchison's death, the Marshall family acquired it.[20] They were also from a successful entrepreneurial background and came with the intention of making the castle their family home. For around 25 years this was the case but as the children flew the nest it looked as though Carlowrie might once again be sold.[21] One of the Marshalls' children, Andrew, an Oslo-based property developer and Director of London-based Marshall Hurley proposed an alternative future for the castle.[22]

Buying the castle from his parents, Andrew Marshall, current owner and CEO of Carlowrie Castle embarked upon an immense renovation project amounting to a £5 million investment.[23] The castle now operates as a private hire venue catering to families, corporates, charities, fashion houses and as a wedding and film venue.[24]

Following its extensive refurbishment, Carlowrie was quickly voted one of the top three venues under 200 bedrooms in Europe.[25]

Carlowrie Castle Walled Garden

Carlowrie Castle and the Gate Lodge offer a total of 12 double bedrooms and two children's rooms. Two of these bedrooms comprise a luxury self-contained suite on the ground floor known as The Isobel. The Gate Lodge is a recent addition to the accommodation offering. It opened in Autumn 2018 following extensive renovations. The stables are currently being refurbished to create 7 en suite bedrooms and planning has also been obtained for 12 one and two bedroom Lodges, there is no date yet for when works on the Lodges will start.

Carlowrie Castle Contemporary Interiors and Art Collection

Art at Carlowrie Castle

The Carlowrie Collection

Andrew Marshall has been collecting urban and pop art for over a decade. Championing the works of emerging artists internationally, the collection can be seen across the walls of the castle and includes a Banksy, Nola Girl with Umbrella.[26][27] The earliest acquisitions for the collection were by Cuban artist Raiber Goh, and Iceland-based London artist Nikhil Kirsh.[28] Andrew has suggested that his love for art comes from his move to London in his early 20s and the new opportunities it gave for visiting art galleries, and his love of skateboarding and the urban art that was often in evidence at skateparks.[29] [30]

The Isobel Wylie Hutchison Collection

In addition to championing the works of international urban and pop artists, Andrew Marshall has looked closer to home, working with partners The Royal Scottish Geographical Society and Edinburgh-based Craft Design House to create a line of exclusive, limited edition and handcrafted luxury items that tell the inspiring story of Isobel Wylie Hutchison.[31] The collection serves a dual role of championing her legacy and narrating it to new audiences while providing an innovative way of reintegrating the historical narrative into the contemporary interiors of the castle. Every piece is made-to-order basis by the designers and makers involved in the project. Pieces range from bespoke dinner services and glassware to cushions and handprinted wallpaper to knitwear and jewellery items. 10% from every sale goes to support the educational work of the RSGS.

Carlowrie Castle

Carlowrie Castle in the Twenty-first Century

Today the castle balances its fairy tale Gothic exterior and a sleek, contemporary interior complete with Nespresso machines and a world-class Urban and Pop art collection on the walls. The castle is also home to the Isobel Wylie Hutchison Collection and to various sustainability initiatives.

Carlowrie Castle also provides a monthly donation to the charity Restart that Andrew Marshall founded in 2009. It aims to enact lasting change for the homeless and those in long-term unemployment through medical care, accommodation, education and apprenticeship schemes.[32]

References

  1. ^ "The Collector of Carlowrie". Arbuthnot Latham. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  2. ^ "David Rhind". Scottish Architects. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  3. ^ "David Rhind". Scottish Architects. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  4. ^ "Isobel Wylie Hutchison". Wikipedia. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  5. ^ Hoyle, Gwyneth (2000). FLOWERS IN THE SNOW. UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS. pp. Chapter 1. ISBN 0-8032-2403-6.
  6. ^ "Hutchison Baronets". Wikipedia. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  7. ^ "Robert (Sir) Hutchison". Royal College of Physicians. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  8. ^ Hoyle, Gwyneth (2000). FLOWERS IN THE SNOW. UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS. pp. Chapter 1. ISBN 0-8032-2403-6.
  9. ^ Hoyle, Gwyneth (2000). FLOWERS IN THE SNOW. UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS. pp. Chapter 1. ISBN 0-8032-2403-6.
  10. ^ Hoyle, Gwyneth (2000). FLOWERS IN THE SNOW. UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS. pp. Chapter 1. ISBN 0-8032-2403-6.
  11. ^ Hoyle, Gwyneth (2000). FLOWERS IN THE SNOW. UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS. pp. Chapter 1. ISBN 0-8032-2403-6.
  12. ^ "Isobel Wylie Hutchison". Wikipedia. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  13. ^ Hoyle, Gwyneth (2000). FLOWERS IN THE SNOW. UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA PRESS. pp. Chapter 1. ISBN 0-8032-2403-6.
  14. ^ "Isobel Wylie Hutchison". Wikipedia. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  15. ^ "The Collector of Carlowrie". Arbuthnot Latham. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  16. ^ "Isobel Wylie Hutchison". Royal Scottish Geographical Society. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  17. ^ "Isobel Wylie Hutchison". Wikipedia. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  18. ^ "Isobel Wylie Hutchison". Wikipedia. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  19. ^ "The Collector of Carlowrie". Arbuthnot Latham. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  20. ^ "Carlowrie Castle opens as stunning exclusive-use venue on Edinburgh's doorstep". Jigsaw PR. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  21. ^ Kirkwood, Holly (30 July 2010). "Remarkable Scottish castle for sale near Edinburgh". Country Life. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  22. ^ "Carlowrie Castle opens as stunning exclusive-use venue on Edinburgh's doorstep". Jigsaw PR. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  23. ^ "Carlowrie Castle opens as stunning exclusive-use venue on Edinburgh's doorstep". Jigsaw PR. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  24. ^ "Home". Carlowrie Castle. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  25. ^ "Carlowrie Castle". Hidden Scotland. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  26. ^ "The Collector of Carlowrie". Arbuthnot Latham. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  27. ^ "Nola Girl with Umbrella". Celtic Castles. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  28. ^ "The Collector of Carlowrie". Arbuthnot Latham. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  29. ^ "The Collector of Carlowrie". Arbuthnot Latham. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  30. ^ "Art". Carlowrie Castle. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  31. ^ Allen, Vicky. "Cold warrior: How Scotland's greatest female explorer inspires". The Herald. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
  32. ^ "Sustainability". Carlowrie Castle. Retrieved 13 November 2018.
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