Hi Friends,
On my recent trip to Scotland I was very excited to visit Inverarary Castle which was featured in the last episode of Downton Abbey, Season 3. The Crawley family traveled to Scotland to visit Duneagle (Inverarary) and spend time with Lady Rose’s family, including Robert’s cousin Hugh (Shrimpy) and Susan, his unhappy wife. While they were there the men went stalking (hunting) and fishing, the women enjoyed walks in the garden and a picnic by the loch, and everyone took part in the ghillie (servants’) ball.
I enjoyed touring the castle with author and friend Cathy Gohlke along with forty-one new friends, all women, who were on the tour led by author Liz Curtis Higgs.
Carrie and Cathy at Inverarary Castle
Inveraray Castle is the ancestral home of the Duke of Argyll, the Chief of the Clan Campbell. This impressive castle is located on the shore of Loch Fyne, one of Scotland’s longest sea lochs and has been the Campbell family’s home since the 17th century.
We walked through several beautifully decorated rooms including the Dining Room and Armoury Hall, which were featured on Downton Abbey.
The Armoury Room Inverarary Castle.
I loved the small circular dish room and the beautiful paintings upstairs in the bedrooms.
Queen Victoria’s daughter who married into the Campbell Clan
Princess Louise, Queen Victoria’s daughter, who married John Campbell, the 9th Duke of Argyll.[/caption]
Azaleas and many other flowers were blooming in the beautiful gardens.
Do you recognize this view of Inverarary Castle below? Mr. Bates and Anna found Rose hiding from her mother under those arches.
The castle and gardens were wonderful! I can see why the producers of Downton Abbey chose it for their Scottish location. It gave me lots of wonderful story ideas!
Until next time, happy reading!
Carrie
Thanks for sharing Carrie! This was indeed a favorite castle of mine. It was a pleasure to meet you and be on this journey with you, Liz + the other 42 lovely ladies.
It was wonderful to meet you, too, LouAnn! We were very blessed to see so many great sites, including Inverarary Castle!
Ooooh, Carrie! Love the pictures! How wonderful that you got to see it for real! I’m going to put on Season 3’s finale tonight after dinner. 😉
Hi Pam, Cathy and I loved this castle. The gardens were very pretty too. I’m a real Downton Abbey Fan, so it was a real treat to see it. Get out your tissues for that episode.
How absolutely lovely. The painting alone makes one’s imagination soar! So glad you shared this with us! Thanks!
Hi Karla, thanks for stopping by! Yes, visiting Inverarary did make my imagination soar. : )
Thanks for sharing this part of your adventure, Carrie. I’m sure there are so many more! Can’t wait for all the wonderful stories that will spring from you and Cathy!
Thanks for the beautiful scarf–is this where you purchased it?
Hi Terri, I’m glad the scarf arrived. Cathy and I both thought of you when we saw it in the gift shop at another castle. I’m sorry I can’t remember which one! Maybe Cawdor Castle. We saw so many great sites and were so busy every day it all kinds of blends together. It’s a good thing I have photos or I wouldn’t remember much of it!
Carrie, Your pics are just stunning – as is your beautiful website! I miss Scotland very much and cannot wait to return, Lord willing. Thanks for the uplifting post!
Hi Laura, It’s so fun to think that we’ve visited so many of the same places in the last few weeks. I’d also love to return to Scotland and Cumbria – the Lake District. Cathy Gholke and I fell in love with that area. We visited Beatrix Potter’s Hilltop farm and Wordsworth’s school and home – Dove Cottage. Lovely. : )