Where is Torosay Castle
On the Isle of Mull near Craignure and Duart Castle. A
miniature railway runs the mile and a half from the Old Pier at Craignure
where the Oban ferry docks. The trip from Oban takes 20 minutes on the
ferry
The castle is open mid April to mid October, 7 days a week
- Torosay Castle and Gardens
Craignure, Isle of Mull, PA65 6AY
Tel: (+44) (0)1680 812421
Fax: (+44) (0)1680 812470
Who owns Torosay Castle
Still a family home, with the family living on the upper
floors. David Guthrie Jones, the head of the family, has had a very colourful
past, including a successful escape from Coldiz during the war, sailing
round the world, polar exploration and being an MP. He has also appeared
on "This is your Life"
History of Torosay Castle
Built in 1858, it is a Victorian "Scottish baronial"
mansion by the Scottish architect David Bryce
Inside Torosay Castle you can wander round the principal rooms which include the front hall dominated by a collection of red deer stag antlers, the central hall, dining room, the library with its impressive collection of books, the children's nursery, bedroom and drawing room with its spectacular views of the garden.
All the rooms contain a wide range of family portraits, memorabilia and antique furniture set in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. It includes the Guthrie portrait of William Wallace, dating from the 17th Century and there are photos of Winston Churchill, who was a frequent visitor
Gardens
Torosay is surrounded by 12 acres of spectacular gardens.
The gardens have a number of magnificent Italian statues, a water garden,
Japanese garden, domed folly, sculpted fountains, rockery and much
more including formal terraces (attributed to Sir Robert Lorimar) which
are covered with roses, other climbers and underplanted with perennials.
Torosay also has an impressive statue walk with 19 lifesize limestone figures which were sculpted by Antonio Bonazza. They were acquired from a deserted villa near Padua and were brought to Torosay in about 1900.
Many tender plants grow outside on account of the influence of the Gulf Stream, and to the west of the garden you will find the woodland garden with pool surrounded with candelabra primulas and other moisture loving plants, the alpine garden, rhododendron collection with Himalayan blue poppies and many woodland plants. The eucalyptus walk along the burnside which leads to the old walled garden can be found to the south, and to the east you can explore the bog garden, old rock garden, greenhouses and Japanese garden with its dramatic seaview.
