Welcome to the grand 32-acre estate of Stuckgowan, which sits on the banks of Loch Lomond within the vast Tarbet Estate. Loch Lomond is steeped in fascinating evolution of Stuckgowan House and estate plays an important role in its story. So let’s explore the history of this magnificent property and some of the famous guests that visited it…
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Brothers Malcolm and John McMurrick purchased the estate in 1798. As merchants, they made their fortunes selling timber to the Glasgow shipyards. When the older brother, Malcolm, passed away, John kept the land, along with a good many properties in the village of Tarbet. With his love of the magical views from the Stuckgowan Estate, John designed and built Stuckgowan House in a stunning Tudor/Gothic style. It became known as the Grand Lady of the Loch. The house and the additional houses on the land were built from beautiful granite stone quarried within the grounds of the estate, completed and occupied by 1810.
John was a prominent local businessman and he invited many well-known characters to dine and stay at Stuckgowan House. Sir Walter Scott was a frequent guest and we believe he took inspiration for his novel Rob Roy while at Stuckgowan. The house looks across to the other banks of Loch Lomond where it is reputed that the infamous Clan Leader Rob McGregor was imprisoned. His novel was published in 1817, just 7 years after the opening of the house.
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Another famous guest of John was David Napier, an engineer from Dumbarton. He designed and built engines for the shipyards – where John was also selling Scottish oak. The pair formed a partnership and brought the first steamship, Marion, to Loch Lomond in 1816. The two men continued in partnership for 20 or 30 years and introduced 2 further vessels to the loch.
Essentially they brought tourism to the upper areas of Loch Lomond. John survived to a ripe old age and passed away in 1846. The son of his brother Malcolm, James McMurrick, then inherited the estate. Both Malcolm and John McMurrick are buried in the Ballyhenan churchyard. Situated behind the old church in Tarbet, here you can find old 16th-century Celtic slabs and other historical artefacts. But today it is now a restaurant and bar called The Slanj.
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Over a period of nearly 50 years, John McMurrick acquired a number of businesses in the area. He became part owner of the Tarbet Hotel, partner of the Loch Lomond Steamship Company, and part owner of the Loch Lomond whisky distillery when it started in the village. Furthermore, he owned or built several other properties within and around the village. As such, John employed many locals to work within his estate and his businesses.
As John McMurrich had no offspring, the estate passed on to his many relatives after his death. They all gained an inheritance when the estate was finally sold in 1882. The property eventually went to the Colquhoun family and it remained in their ownership until we purchased Stuckgowan Estate in 2012.
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When we acquired Stuckgowan House, we embarked upon an extensive two-year renovation, which focused on preserving the house’s historical integrity while incorporating modern furnishings and conveniences. Today, the house operates as an exclusive-use property, offering amenities such as nine bedrooms, six bathrooms, a media cinema room, a bar, a pool table, and a Sonos music system. Guests can also enjoy an outdoor hot tub, extensive grounds and access to the nearby beach and lochside area.
Relatives and connections from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand as well as in the UK, have contacted us, passing us interesting historical information and in some cases, returning to visit their ancestral roots. We welcome any other information on Loch Lomond history and the Stuckgowan Estate that we can add to our research, so please do get in touch if you would like to share anything.
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Stuckgowan is a large self-catering house overlooking Loch Lomond in Scotland, accommodating up to 19 guests. Find out more here and then book online. If you have any queries you can contact us here or call us on +44 (0) 131 5564020 or +44 (0) 77 66 88 5270. We look forward to welcoming you!
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“We booked Stuckgowan house for our annual trip. What can i say?? Totally blown away with location, service, cleanliness and beauty of this estate. Would fully recommend to any group wanted to get away for a stunning stay !”
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