Remember the last episode of Downton Abbey when the Grantham family and their staff traveled up north to the home of their cousins, the Marquess and Marchioness of Flintshire in their Scottish home, Duneagle Castle? Well that mythical castle is actually Inveraray Castle, the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan Campbell. Now, imagine my sheer delight when we arrived in Inveraray for the last night of our trip to discover the Duchess had chosen to open the castle before the traditional April 1st date! (A few days before I had checked and the website hadn't been updated yet.) I was practically skipping up the drive to buy my ticket, much to the amusement of my husband and daughter :)
Can I say that this was one of the top highlights from
The entry hall - a gorgeous yellow
Looking into Armoury Hall
It soars 21 metres high and is the highest ceiling in Scotland. It is so impressive.
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A hip flame stitch on these antique chairs.
This wicker basket added to the "realness" of the space that had two flanking fireplaces.
Looking up
Remember the dining room scene with the bagpiper?
The State Dining Room, complete with a photo of the Dowager Countess!
The Tapestry Drawing Room
The China Turret
The Saloon. See that bench w/out the rope? I sat on it - yes, it made me feel special.
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Upstairs. You really felt like you were walking through someone's home, albeit grand, especially when you noticed the doors marked private.
The MacArthur Room - said to be haunted.
The tour included a stroll through the gardens as well.
If you ever get a chance to visit, absolutely go!! Not only is the castle impressive, but the tea room and cafe are top notch. It was there I finally found the tartan blanket I had been seeking the whole trip. Here's the view from the stairwell as you enter to the tea room where Lord and Lady Grantham are at the ready to greet you...Can you tell I love that show?
Images from ITV Series via Inveraray Castle here. All other images by My Notting Hill.
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