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History of Aberuchill
[Editor's Note: In 1975 several family members went to stay at Aberuchill Castle in Perthshire. Sylvia saw an advertisement offering the castle as a holiday let. She contacted everyone in the family, took the names of those who wanted to go and made the booking.
Mrs Emmett, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother of current family members kept a diary of the trip.
Food was a popular topic - half a sheep and the seemingly endless blackberries being the highlights - but she also records her impressions of the scenery and the castle itself. Despite several 'unfortunate' incidents, a good time was had by all - well, most of the time.]
Arrived at Aberuchill Castle at 5pm. We set off from Newcastle at 8am. Lovely day. Stopped at Kelso where we had arranged to meet Sylvia and company but unfortunately we missed them there as we went to different car parks. However, we met up with them beyond Galashiels.
We travelled on in convoy to Falkirk where we all went to visit Peggy and Alex Robertson and to meet up with Elaine and John and the children. After a very happy visit with them we set off for Aberuchill, travelling through some very lovely country. The hills were beautiful. Scotland at its very best.
The castle is fantastic. Full of lovely old things and very comfortable. Books galore, a roulette table, games, grand piano, a lovely lounge and dining room, like something out of a film. Beautiful ornaments of jade, silver, onyx. Brass lamps, cut glass wall candelabra, chandeliers, pictures - all sorts of beautiful things to look at.
We sat around the long dining table set with silver and glass. Our bedrooms are furnished with lovely furniture, bow-fronted chests of drawers. The beds look comfortable - we shall find out later if they are in fact.
September 14th 1975The beds are comfortable but unfortunately I decided to have a hot water bottle and it leaked and wet the sheets, so I had to strip the bed. Kit insisted on sleeping in that bed (we had twin beds) and I had to put a towel in place of the sheet. However it wasn’t very damp and we both slept well.
This morning we went round the castle kitchen and flower gardens then had a lovely walk through the woods and round the back down the pasture. We had roast turkey for lunch and then went for a s
troll down the lane towards the village of Comrie.
After tea we settled down to reading the papers and the men played cards in the smoking room. Unfortunately they managed to break two lamp globes. However Mrs Brack, the housekeeper, said not to worry as they’ve been broken before. We were all very tired and went to bed. Elaine and John have been plagued by black flies their bedroom.
Elaine sprayed her bedroom with fly killer so hope they will have no more trouble. We have all been for a drive round Loch Earn. The weather was perfect and we have been delighted with the magnificent scenery. We saw some Highland Cattle and Barbara has taken a few snaps of the views and one of the castle.
We stopped at a place called Kenmore and had coffee or tea from our flasks and a bite to eat. Then on round the lochs. Sylvia and Effie managed to find a few blackberries.
Back to the castle and dinner at 7. We had Boeuf Bourgignon and a lemon snow for sweet. Wine with the meal and coffee and biscuits and cheese, served in the lounge. It’s very nice having the dinner cooked for us and the dishes washed up afterwards. Bought a small pendant for Dorothy at Lochearnhead.
Had visitors today. Young couple came calling on John R but Elaine and John and children, and Effie and Harry were away to Perth for the day. They had a look around the castl
e and said they might call in on their way back from their holiday.
Lunch time. Anne and Sidney arrived. They’re touring around Scotland. Disappointed that everyone (almost) was away out but had a look around the castle and were much impressed with our holiday house. Sylvia and Barbara returned from Crieff before they left and Sylvia invited them to return here for the evening meal. They got fixed up for Bed & Breakfast in Comrie and came back around 6.30.
Effie, Harry, J.R., Elaine and children had all returned by that time so a pleasant evening was had by all. We had an enormous sausage & egg pie (which I had made) and baked spuds, with blackberry summer pudding to follow. Anne and Sydney left around 10.30pm and so to bed.
Raining at first but brightened up later. John A and Babs went to Perth for the day. John R went to various places looking for windscreen wipers. Res of us stayed at the castle. We had a very happy afternoon playing croquet on
the lawn.
We had a very tasty dinner of fish with mushroom sauce, creamed potatoes with soured cream and veg, with blackberry crumble to follow. The blackberries we’ve had these last two days were gathered in the hedgerows by Sylvia, Babs and Effie.
We played Scrabble in the evening, the ladies that is, while the men go off to the smoking room next door to play cards. They’ve been in there, card playing, every evening. After coffee or Horlicks and biscuits, off to bed.
Rained heavily through the night but fair now. Elaine and John R off to Falkirk to attend a wedding. Children have gone for a walk with Effie and Harry. The rest of us sitting about reading or writing. Sylvia of course is in the kitchen with Mrs Brack, the housekeeper. Very friendly person.
Sylvia came through from the kitchen just now and suggested we go for a run to Comrie to buy pies etc for lunch. This we did and after the shopping we went for a run up Glen Lednoch. This was a beautiful glen, magnificent scenery all the way. There’s a dam at the head of the glen but it does not spoil the scenery.
Back to the castle, had lunch and then played croquet on the lawn. Lovely afternoon and enjoyed playing croquet very much. Cold chicken and salad for dinner, blackberry crumble to follow.
In the evening we played games with the children till their bed time. John and Elaine brought back half a sheep which will keep us in meat for a few days.
Went for a trip to Loch Lomond. The whole company went. Stopped at the David Marshall Lodge at Aberfoyle. Had a look round there and stayed there for a picnic lunch. Wonderful views all round.
On round Loch Lomond where we stopped and gathered a few blackberries. Personally, I think the trip the other day round Loch Earn and Lock Tay more impressive as the trees along the roadside obscure much of the view of Loch Lomond, but the splendid views from the Lodge were well worth the trip.
Home again and lamb and chicken pilaff for dinner, with coconut pudding to follow. Went out again in the car with John, Kit and the children. The bairns wanted to see some wildlife in the evening. We were lucky enough to see bats, an owl, rabbits, of course, and a couple of deer, here in the castle’s parkland. Stephen even saw a walking tree!
Stayed home today to rest from all the travelling yesterday. Some of the company went to Crieff to do some shopping for food supplies. Elaine and I played croquet in the morning. After lunch, which we had instead of dinner this evening, Sylvia, Effie, Doris and I repaired to the kitchen where we spent several hours cooking blackberry tarts, scones, apple slice, coconut chocolate cake, lemon meringue pies, to feed the company, and also to have so
mething for tomorrow as we are expecting some visitors.
This morning while playing croquet we saw a rainbow. It was lying right across the hills and the effect of the colours across the hills was quite something. John R took a colour photograph of it and I do hope it comes out well.
To get back to the cooking - unfortunately the gas ran out. The cooker is run on Calor gas and the cylinder ran out. The handyman came over and fixed it but unfortunately it again went off after he had gone. However we had almost finished the cooking, so nothing was spoiled.
Sylvia, Barbara, Kit and Harry are now going off for an evening run to see if they can see some wildlife and to stock up with some beer for their [Ed: the men!] card parties. We are a mile and a half from Comrie, which is the nearest village, so they can’t run out for a pint at the corner pub. It’s lovely and peaceful here - no traffic going past at all hours. The castle is half a mile down the drive 
from the gate.
Mike, Kit and John A have been down to the stream to try their hand at fishing several times but unfortunately they haven’t caught anything worth having - but they will have enjoyed themselves just practising the casting no doubt.
We have all enjoyed the various walks round the gardens, woods and orchard of the estate. Lovely places and there’s always the views from the castle itself. The hills are always changing with the sunshine and shadows and rain clouds passing over them.
The castle is so comfortable too. We feel perfectly at home - no feeling of living in a museum or anything like that. We are free to come and go or have meals when we choose, gallons of hot water for baths whenever we please, the run of the kitchen and washing machine and everything else. It’s just like being at home except it’s in such beautiful surroundings.
Up early. After breakfast most of the company went for a run up to Glen Lednoch. Some of us had been there before but others had not. It’s a beautiful run and we all enjoyed it. Ruth had us all singing ‘I see the moon and the moon
sees me’ and wanted to learn it so we sang it over and over and over. She knows it now, she learns things quickly.
Played a few games of croquet, me and Kit against John R and Elaine, until the visitors arrived. Peggy and Alex Robertson, and Elsie and Charlie arrived for lunch. Grace and Bill, their daughter Amanda and Elsie’s children, Brian and Sandra arrived later. I think they enjoyed their visit, looking over the castle, playing croquet, going for walks, as well as having a gossip. We had tea around 6 and they left around half past seven.
Sylvia, Effie and I went to Perth to do some shopping. Raining here at Aberuchill but fair at Crieff and Perth, very chill however. We visited the house of the Fair Maid of Perth. Must read up about it and find out why she is so remembered. Funny little low dark rooms they were, some old furniture in one room, an exhibition of paintings by amateur artists from the looks of them. However one must not criticise when one could not paint at all. Some of them quite nice and one or two rea
lly nice.
Did our shopping for foodstuffs and bought one or two small gifts to take home. Had a welcome cup of tea when we got back. Weather still miserable at castle. Kit and Mike spent a couple of hours fishing, got soaking wet but caught nothing.
Mrs Allan and John A and Barbara went to Edinburgh. Babs and John fell out with each other and John and his mother came back without Babs. [Typical!] She came back later on in the bus. Sylvia went to Crieff to pick her up.
Played parlour games in the evening. Elaine, John R and children stayed in today as weather was so miserable and wet. Did some washing today.
Pottered about in the morning. Have never spent so much time titivating myself in the mornings as I have done here. It’s lovely to have time to have a bath, get dressed and generally potter without having to think of such things as getting the breakfast ready and washing up afterwards.
We went out around 11.30 - two cars full of us - to see Rob Roy’s grave in the
churchyard at Balquidder. Had a lovely run. Ran into 2 or heavy showers but it’s amazing how quickly the sky clears and the sun shines once again. Seen so many rainbows, a truly lovely sight when the rainbow is in the glen and the colours lie across the hills. I’ve never seen this effect before coming here. It’s magical and I am entranced by it. I think it should be called Rainbowland.
Saw some lovely scenery, took some photos of the rainbows and one of a waterfall on the road to Balquidder, a very pretty spot. The scenery in this part is not to be called ‘pretty’ though - it’s magnificent. Bought ham etc on the way back.
Raining all day so nobody did much. Sylvia and Effie went to Crieff shopping. Read a bit and just lounged about. Had dinner and then did crosswords etc and chatted.
September 25th 1975Our last day here. Fine morning after light lunch went for walk through the woods. Beautiful place. Waterfall roaring full after all the rain. Scenery very lovely. Took photographs. Took several snaps of rooms and hall etc this morning. Then to get ready for the evening.
The staff put everything on for us. Table set with all the silver, chandeliers lit. Magnificent sight. We had a piper to pipe in the haggis for us. Young Michael, Bill’s [Ed: castle handyman/caretaker] son, was the piper and looked splendid in full regalia and played really well.
Everyone very busy taking photographs of the table, chandeliers, piper and the company sitting round the table. A most impressive dinner which we will not forget. Had two extra to dinner. John R’s friend and girlfriend came this afternoon and stayed to dinner. Sang songs etc and Harry made a speech.
Sylvia embarrassed. She would not sit at head of table as she should have done but sat at side table with the children. I’d rather she had been at the top of the table as it was due to her work and efforts that we had such a lovely holiday.
Babs found a funny little cubby hole behind the cupboard in her room and a long passageway from the cupboard on the landing. Also old uniforms etc in another room.
We must leave today alas! We spent the time after breakfast packing and getting ready for departure. Elaine and John and the children left around 10.15am as they were making the long run to London. Some of the party had a last walk around and John A, Barbara and Mrs Allan took a run up to St Fillans to take photos. It was a lovely bright morning and just the right light for it. It’s a lovely view up Loch Earn from there.
When they returned we got the cars packed, made coffee, tea and sandwiches. Said goodbye to Mrs Brack and Bill (they showed us the old kitchen quarters of the castle before we left) and set off. We stopped at Comrie to pick up pies etc. Sylvia’s car was a long time in arriving at Comrie. The exhaust was loose and they’d had to st
op to tie it up.
Then off we went across the moors. Stopped at small place, Wilsontown, where after a while Sylvia’s car arrived and we had a cup of tea or coffee and a sandwich. Too chilly there to stay long, so off again. We had arranged to meet again at Kelso but unfortunately we got behind a cattle truck on a narrow road and could not get past him and could only crawl along for several miles.
We came into Newcastle via Ponteland into Haymarket and through Jesmond and so home.
Information taken from Parks and Gardens UK
The granting of the Charter of Aberuchill by the Crown to Colin Campbell of Lawers was followed by the erection of this L plan mansion in 1602. So long contested between the Campbells and the Macgregors, the district was the scene of much conflict in times past.
The 17th century L plan structure has angle turrets and a circular stair tower. In the 19th century the tower was incorporated into the house. There are unusual twin gables at roof level. The house is three storeys high with an attic. The walls are harled and whitewashed. A Georgian two storey and attic wing was added around 1805.
The lands of Aberuchill were granted in 1596 to a son of Sir Colin Campbell of Lawers who built the oldest part of the castle by 1602. The estate was next acquired by Sir James Drummond in 1642 whose descendants carried out some improvements to the house. .
Aberuchill stayed in the Drummond family's ownership until 1858 when it was sold to Sir David Dundas of Dunira who is thought to have been responsible for planting the boundary hedges and many of the parkland trees..
In 1864, he sold Aberuchill to Sir George Dewhurst who added the west wing and greatly embellished the gardens. His descendants remained at Aberuchill until the 1980s when the estate was sold.
The landscape at Aberuchill was laid out in the 19th century and has remained similar in layout since then. There is well-preserved parkland, a lime avenue with trees from an earlier layout, a shrubbery and a terraced walled garden. The structure of an early 20th-century rock garden survives on the banks of the Aberuchill Burn in the policies.
Sir David Dundas is thought to have planted boundary hedges and many parkland trees from 1858. In 1864 Sir George Dewhurst bought the property and greatly developed the gardens. The Dewhurst family created the rockery from 1918 to 1921. The house was sold out of the Dewhurst family in the 1980s.
The parklands and woodlands at Aberuchill present an attractive, well-maintained landscape which is managed on a commercial basis. Some of the parkland clumps have been lost over the years and could be replanted if desired. The walled garden is kept in use as a kitchen garden and new ornamental trees have been planted in the shrubbery.
Metal tycoon Vladimir Lisin, is reported to have bought Aberuchill Castle in 2005.
Lisin is a gun-toting member of the super-rich Russian elite with a personal fortune of £5.4bn. He is also a former welder who has become his country's second-richest man with a place in President Putin's favoured circle.
Taken from Blood is Strong