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Glengorm Castle:
Image Right - © Copyright Stuart Logan and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence. Geograph
Historical Building of Argyllshire, Scotland
...a.k.a. Castle Sorn
The purpose of this project is to gather information about Glengorm Castle. If you have any information regarding the history of this place or the people associated with it please share it by either adding the information or links to the project. Any contributions would be welcome!
19th-century country house on the Isle of Mull, Scotland. Located 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north-west of Tobermory, the house is protected as a Category B listed building.
- Type of Building: Country house
- Condition: Inhabited - guest house and wedding venue
- Location: Isle of Mull, Scotland. Located 6 kilometres (3.7 mi) north-west of Tobermory
- Category: B - Reference No. 11014
- Date Listed: 20/07/1971.
- Historic Scotland Building ID:
- Canmore ID- 151057
- Coordinates 56.6368°N 6.1773°W
- OS Grid Coordinates:
- When Built: Completed 1860
- Architect: Kinnear and Peddie
- Built for/by: James Forsyth of Quinish
- Owned by: Tom and Marjorie Nelson
- Webpage: http://www.glengormcastle.co.uk/
History
The Mishnish estate was purchased in 1856 by James Forsyth of Quinish a.k.a. "James Forsyth of Dervaig", who cleared the existing township of Sorne to make way for the new house, which was completed in 1860. The house was designed by Kinnear and Peddie in a Scots Baronial style. It is now operated as a guest house and wedding venue. The castle is located on a headland and overlooks the Atlantic Ocean. On a clear day the Outer Hebrides and Islands of Uist, Rùm and Canna can be viewed from the castle.
Forsyth was a hated figure on the island. He cleared the crofters from the area by bullying and concerted pressure. One old woman had a title to her land which Forsyth took from her and throwing it into the fire told her she had a week to leave. Upon his return he was met by the woman and the local minister who had kept the original. Forsyth incandescent with rage decided to fence her in so that she could not leave to get provisions. However the woman managed very well - it was said that men climbed the cliffs near by to bring provisions.
Legend has it that one of the evictees put a curse on James Forsyth saying he would die before the castle was finished. In 1863, just before completion of the castle, he was killed in a riding accident and his son inherited the property. He asked an elderly woman what he should call it; she said call it Glengorm, the Gaelic for Blue Glen – a reference to the blue smoke that filled the air when so many of the houses were burned down. Many of the folk moved into Tobermory to find work
The castle has been through a succession of owners that reflects the history of Scottish land ownership through the 20th century. Initially built as a grand Victorian castle, it was sold in the early 20th century more for its potential for hunting and fishing than for the property itself. Now it contains many quarters that are self-catering apartments that are rented throughout the year.
References Found
- History of Quinish"
Quinish takes it’s name from Old Norse, as the “nish” means penninsular. In the 1600’s Quinish Estate was part of the lands owned by the MacLean’s of Coll. In 1847, James Forsyth bought Glengorm and in 1857, he also bought Quinish from Hugh MacLean of Coll. In 1863, Forsyth was killed in a riding accident between Glengorm and Quinish Estate. During his short time on the Isle of Mull he built Glengorm Castle, extended the old pier at Quinish as well as building the Steadings at Antuim, Druimnacroish, Achnacraig along the Glenbellart Road. Aged only 18, James Noel Forsyth inherited all the properties from his father and went on to build the Steadings at Quinish as well as enlarging Quinish House.
In 1898, James Noel joined forces with the owner of Glengorm Castle (Frederick Morgan) to improve the fishing. They did this by recoursing the Mingary Burn to create a new permanent loch, Loch Torr, with Byewash and natural overflow.
- 1860. Kinnear and Peddie. Scots Baronial. Large. Rambling. 2 storeys and garret. Coursers. Corbie-step-gabled. Slated roofs. Angle turrets. 1-storey-and-garret offices to W. Square tower. With dates at entrance.
- Hannan 'Mull' pp 46 J MacCormick 'Island of Mull' p.15 (ill) J P Maclean 'History of Mull', vol. II RCAHMS Vol 3 p 38.
People Associated with Glengorm
…in chronological order
- 1847 James Forsyth of Quinish purchased Quinish, adjoining Sorn (latterly called Glengorm) from Hugh MacLean of Coll.
- 1863 James Noel Müller Forsyth
- 1874 - J N M Forsyth sold Glengorm Castle to William Lang (who died in 1887).
- 1898 - owner of Glengorm Castle Frederick Morgan
Sources, References and Further Reading
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glengorm_Castle
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/hotel/126022/Glengorm-Castle-hote...
- http://www.celticcastles.com/castles/glengorm/
- http://www.mull-historical-society.co.uk/daily-life/castles-fortifi...
- http://www.rampantscotland.com/castles/blcastles_glengorm.htm
Related Publications
- Ritchie and Harman, [J N] G and M (1996) Argyll and the Western Isles, Exploring Scotland's Heritage series, ed. by Anne Ritchie Edinburgh Page(s): 45 Held at RCAHMS A.1.4.HER
- Battle Castles - 500 years of Knights and Siege Warfare - Dan Snow 2012
- Best of British Castles - AA Publication 2004
- Castles of Wales and the Welsh Marches - The Pitkin Guide
- The English Castle - John Goodall 2011
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