Ross Priory

Ross Priory is a Grade A Listed Building located west of Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire, on the south shore of Loch Lomond.

Although the term 'Priory' implies "some ecclesiastical provenance" this is not the case, being simply a 19th century romantic affectation.ref label|L1|1|none

History

The history of Ross Priory began with the Buchanan Clan duringthe 11th century.

A dwelling is known to have existed on the site from as early as 1693.

It is reported that in 1745 the Buchanans werecursed by the Marquess of Tullibardine, who, in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden asked James Buchanan, 5th of Ross, for shelter at the Priory but was instead betrayed and given over to King George's men. Tullibardine cursed them with the utterance:

: "There will be Murrays on the Braes of Atholl land when there’s ne’er a Buchanan at the Ross.”

The Marquess's curse came to pass when, in 1925 the Buchanan's male line finally died out and the house wasleased to Major George J.H. Christie, a veteran of World War I, remaining in the family's possession until shortly after the Major's death.

Christie was responsible for the development and cultivation of the Priory's surrounding gardens.

The Priory was sold to the University of Strathclyde in 1971, despite objections from the local population.ref label|L1|1|none

Architecture

Ross Priory has been described as a Scottish Gothic style country house. ref label|L2|2|none It was designed in 1812 by Dunblane-born architect James Gillespie Graham (1776-1855) as an extensive remodelling of the site's existing farmhouse.

Ross Priory comprises approximately 200 acres of land and includes a formal garden, parkland, a burial ground and golfcourse.

Famous Visitors

Sir Walter Scott is said to have taken inspiration for his ''Waverley' Novels from impressions formed during annual visits to the Priory. A room on the first floor is named for him.ref label|L3|3|none

Current Use

Ross Priory is now commonly used for meetingsand entertainment by staff and graduates of Strathclyde University as well as being a popular wedding venue.ref label|L4|4|none

Its surrounding gardens, woodlands and parkland are deemed Open under Scotland's Gardens Scheme, access by appointment.

References

#note label|L1|1|nonecite web | last = Reid
first = Carol
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Ross Priory
work = Friends of Loch Lomond Newsletter
publisher = Helensburgh: The Friends of Loch Lomond & the Trossachs
date = Spring 2006
url = http://www.lochlomond.org.uk/ross_priory.htm
format =
doi =
accessdate =
#note label|L2|2|nonecite web
last = Deans
first = Joyce
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Ross Priory
work = Rias
publisher = Edinburgh: Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland
date = 22 January 2008
url = http://www.rias.org.uk/content/default.asp?page=s48_6
format =
doi =
accessdate =
#note label|L3|3|nonecite web
last = Lockhart
first = J.G.
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Chapters IV and VI
work = The Life of Scott
publisher = Edinburgh: Adam and Charles Black
date = 1871
url = http://www.arts.gla.ac.uk/SESLl/STELLA/STARN/prose/WSCOTT/contents.htm
format =
doi =
accessdate =
#note label|L4|4|nonecite web
last = Historic Scotland
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Ross Priory
work = Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes
publisher = Edinburgh: Historic Scotland
date = 2008
url = http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/gardens_search_summary.htm?s=ross%20priory&r=&bool=1&PageID=2393
format =
doi =
accessdate =