Mount Stuart House Day Tour from Glasgow
Escape to the Isle of Bute and discover one of Scotland’s most spectacular hidden treasures on our Mount Stuart House day tour from Glasgow. This magnificent Neo-Gothic Victorian mansion is unlike any other Scottish ancestral home, a Grade A listed architectural masterpiece surrounded by 300 acres of stunning gardens and private beaches. Journey by ferry from the mainland to explore the ancestral home of the Marquesses of Bute, descended from Robert the Bruce and linked to Scottish royalty since 1157.
A Hidden Architectural Masterpiece
There are few historic ancestral homes in Scotland that can boast the qualities and exceptional interior design that Mount Stuart House possesses. This spectacular hidden gem sparkles proudly in the east of the island, like a jewel in a crown, surrounded by stunning sea views, beautifully maintained gardens, and private beaches.
This Neo-Gothic nineteenth-century mansion is the ancestral home of the Marquesses of Bute, originally designed by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson in 1879 for the third Marquess of Bute, after the previous house (built in 1719) burned down in 1877. The Stuarts of Bute have held the hereditary office ‘Steward of Bute’ since 1157, and are directly linked to John Stewart, the illegitimate son of King Robert II of Scotland. They are also descended from Robert the Bruce, as his daughter was Robert II’s grandmother.
This magnificent home has many international influences throughout, from the stained glass windows depicting subtle zodiac signs to the Italian Marble Hall. It boasts the world’s first heated pool within a house and was the first home in Scotland to have electric lighting. The house is home to the magnificent Bute Collection – 25,000 books on subjects ranging from theology to botany and literature, plus artwork, furniture, and artefacts collected over generations.
Your Mount Stuart House Day Tour Experience
When you visit this astonishing piece of Victorian architecture, you’ll be guided by well-informed, knowledgeable guides, each with different perspectives and fascinating stories to tell. You’ll leave this beautiful home and island mesmerized by its beauty, amazing structure, historical links, and the tranquility of its surroundings.
After exploring the house, gardens, and beaches, visit the fabulous tea room and licensed restaurant. We found it excellent value with freshly prepared, beautifully presented food – the perfect way to finish a memorable day trip to this lovely island before returning on the ferry to the mainland at Wemyss Bay on the Clyde Coast.
For us at Kilted Piper Tours, this is a highly recommended must-see for visitors from home and overseas. Little wonder it’s been selected as a popular exclusive wedding venue – what’s not to love about this stunning home with its spectacular setting? We’re confident you’ll enjoy visiting this hidden gem as much as we do.
Ready to discover this spectacular hidden gem? Contact us to plan your Mount Stuart House day tour from Glasgow.