Dunans Castle
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox building
| name = Dunans Castle
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| image = Dunans castle.jpg
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| image_caption = Dunans Castle viewed from the road, the still residential Dunans House is visible on the left.
| map_type = Scotland Argyll and Bute
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| status = Fire damaged ruin
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| building_type = Mock castle
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| location = Glendaruel, Cowal Peninsula, Argyll and Bute
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| location_city = Colintraive
| location_country = Scotland, United Kingdom
| coordinates = {{coord|56.072485|-5.1496005|type:landmark_region:GB}}, National {{gbmapping|NS 04064 91102}}
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| owner = Charles Selwyn Dixon-Spain & Sadie Michaela Dixon-Spain
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Dunans Castle ({{IPAc-en|'|d|ʌ|n|ə|n|z}}){{cite web |author=Charles Dixon-Spain |title=Charles Recommends our "The Conservation Plan for Dunans" by Robin Kent for all Lairds and Ladies |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csLmxxpPHI0&t=24s |website=YouTube |access-date=8 June 2023 |language=en}} is an historic structure located in Glendaruel, on the Cowal peninsula, Argyll and Bute, Scotland. The property is owned by Charles and Sadie Dixon-Spain. A property at Dounens was shown on maps in 1590; Dunans House was elaborated into its present mock castle form in 1864. Once part of a much larger estate the property presently includes {{convert|16|acre|m2}} of ground and in 2001 was ruined by fire.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1116929.stm |title=Police probe castle fire |publisher=BBC News |date=2001-01-14 |accessdate=2011-12-23}}{{cite news|author=Rebecca McQuillan |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/highland-hideaway-destroyed-by-fire-forensic-teams-and-firefighters-search-ruins-for-cause-1.202416 |title=Highland hideaway destroyed by fire Forensic teams and firefighters search ruins for cause|work=Herald Scotland |date=2001-01-15 |accessdate=2011-12-23}}{{cite news |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/lord-and-lady-of-manor-hailed-from-hull-1.202417 |title=Lord and lady of manor hailed from Hull |work=Herald Scotland |date=2001-01-15 |accessdate=2011-12-23}}
History
File:Dunans Castle, Glendaruel - geograph.org.uk - 367295.jpg
For over two centuries Dunans was home to the Fletcher Clan who moved to the site between 1715 and 1745 carrying with them the door of their previous home at Achallader Castle (the door was used for the private chapel and was reported missing in 1999).[https://web.archive.org/web/20140611135235/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-60357649.html Missing door is 700 years old. (News) - Daily Record (Glasgow, Scotland), September 23, 1999 ] The original mansion-style house (to the left in the picture) was extended into its present dramatic Franco-baronial "castle" form by the architect Andrew Kerr with the additions consisting of four main apartments and 6 bedrooms. The building passed out of Fletcher hands in 1997 when the entire 3000 acre Dunans estate was sold off by Colonel Archibald Fletcher's heirs and subsequently split up.{{cite news|url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/slice-of-family-history-changes-hands-1.273008 |title=Slice of family history changes hands |work=Herald Scotland |date=1999-09-09 |accessdate=2011-12-23}}
Following a number of financial problems,{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Lorna|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/FAKE+LORD+AND+LADY+OWE+US+ALL+A+PILE%3b+Taxman+and+Customs+chasing+cash...-a065625477 |title=FAKE LORD AND LADY OWE US ALL A PILE; Taxman and Customs chasing cash from couple in the castle. - Free Online Library |publisher=Thefreelibrary.com |date=2000-10-01 |accessdate=2011-12-23}} the Category B listed castle was gutted by fire on 14 January 2001 while being run as a hotel and the building was left as a ruin.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/photo_gallery/3230425.stm |title=In Depth | Photo Gallery | Your Pictures: 25 Oct-31 Oct |publisher=BBC News |date=2003-10-31 |accessdate=2011-12-23}} The fire began in the attic space of the castle section and destroyed three floors with only the pre Victorian west wing surviving undamaged. The owner Ewa Lucas-Gardener had ignored fire safety experts warnings that the building's fireplaces were unsafe and abandoned the building after the insurers refused to pay out.[https://web.archive.org/web/20140611135242/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18809967.html Gutted castle's future bleak as couple flee - The Scotsman, James Doherty, December 10, 2001 ] Now under new ownership,{{cite news |author=Sue Tranter |url=http://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/spl/aberdeen/in-a-class-of-their-own-home-front-designs-on-a-dream-retreat-here-are-four-that-were-built-as-one-offs-and-guarantee-exclusivity-says-sue-tranter-1.150594 |title=In a class of their own Home front Designs on a dream retreat? Here are four that were built as one-offs and guarantee exclusivity, says Sue Tranter |work=Herald Scotland |date=2002-05-11 |accessdate=2011-12-23}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/propertymarket/3302620/On-the-market-Lancashire-Somerset-Argyll.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601232354/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/propertyadvice/propertymarket/3302620/On-the-market-Lancashire-Somerset-Argyll.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-06-01 |title=On the market: Lancashire, Somerset, Argyll |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=2002-05-25 |accessdate=2012-01-12}} the site, including a Victorian path network, has undergone some restoration supported by the Dunans Charitable Trust.{{cite web|url=http://dunanscastle.org |title=Dunans Heritage Project |publisher=Dunanscastle.org |date=2011-04-26 |accessdate=2012-05-25}}
The castle was reported to have three resident ghosts.{{cite web |url=http://www.lovetripper.com/PRESS/scottishcastlewedding.html |title=Castle Weddings-Madonna, Skibo Castle |publisher=Lovetripper.com |accessdate=2012-10-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140827062026/http://www.lovetripper.com/PRESS/scottishcastlewedding.html |archive-date=2014-08-27 |url-status=dead }}
=Present day=
Dunans Castle Limited, which runs the ScottishLaird.com website, published the Conservation Plan for Dunans in April 2014.{{cite web|url=http://charlescharliecharles.com/2014/04/the-conservation-plan-for-dunans-lairds-and-ladies-edition-is-published/ |title=The Conservation Plan for Dunans, Lairds and Ladies edition is Published!|accessdate=2014-06-24}} Written by conservation architect Robin Kent,{{cite web|url=http://www.robinkent.co.uk |title=Robin Kent architecture |accessdate=2014-06-24}} the book outlines the programme for the restoration of the castle and the bridge.
The regional blog ForArgyll.com is run from the site as is the Walking Theatre Company. The building remains in the at-risk category of the Buildings at Risk Register and is described as being in very poor condition.{{cite web|url=http://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/search/postcode/pa22%203ad/event_id/891438/building_name/dunans-castle-glendaruel |title=Dunans Castle, Glendaruel | Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland |publisher=Buildingsatrisk.org.uk |date= |accessdate=2012-10-13}}
Bridge and mausoleum
File:Glendaruel, Dunans Cottage - geograph.org.uk - 203371.jpg
Leading to the castle is Dunans Bridge, an A-listed structure, designed by Thomas Telford in 1815 and constructed to commemorate the battle of Waterloo by John Fletcher.{{cite web |url=http://www.dunoon-observer.com/archive/arcmay2017.html |title=News Archive |publisher=Dunoon-observer.com |date= |accessdate=2012-01-10 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923220923/http://www.dunoon-observer.com/archive/arcmay2017.html |url-status=dead }}
Once part of the Dunans estate, but still in the ownership of the Fletchers is the Fletcher of Dunans Mausoleum, a grade C listed structure located in the gardens of the neighbouring Stronardron house.
Further buildings once part of the estate but now privately owned include Dunans Lodge, the original gate house to the estate and Dunans Cottage, two workers' cottages combined into one dwelling.
Scottish Laird fundraiser
{{see also|Laird#History and definition}}
The current owners operate a scheme whereby individuals can be given or can purchase "Laird or Lady packages" which entitle them to "own" a square foot of land in the grounds of Dunans Castle in Scotland and use the decorative title "Laird of Dunans" or "Lady of Dunans". The profits from the sale of these packages are used to restore this private property.
The Court of the Lord Lyon states that “ownership of a souvenir plot of land is not sufficient to bring a person otherwise ineligible within the jurisdiction of the Lord Lyon for seeking a coat of arms”, and indicated that if these souvenir plots were being purchased for this purpose then they were as good as meaningless.{{cite web |url=http://www.journalonline.co.uk/Magazine/57-4/1011036.aspx#.UBJEj2GdCCG |title=Caution the souvenir hunters |publisher=The Journal Online |date= |accessdate=2018-12-22}}{{cite news |last=Cramb |first=Auslan |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1478745/How-to-lord-it-over-your-friends-for-only-29.99.html |title=How to lord it over your friends for only £29.99 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=2004-12-11 |accessdate=2012-05-31}} The Scottish Land Register also does not recognise individual ownership of such small plots,{{cite web|url=http://www.scots-titles.com/images/Terms-Laird-Dunans-Castle.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140503230044/http://www.scots-titles.com/images/Terms-Laird-Dunans-Castle.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-05-03 |title=Terms |format=PDF |accessdate=2012-10-13}} meaning purchase of these titles holds no legal entitlement to ownership of the land nor use of it: they are simply decorative.
Owners
| class="wikitable"
!Name(s)!!Ownership period!!Notes!!Sources | |||
| Archibald Fletcher, 9th Chief | Around 1745–1763 | Recorded as resident in 1745, though the date of arrival could be any time between 1715 and 1745. | {{cite web|url=http://www.spaceless.com/fletcher/flet4.htm |title=The Fletchers of Dunans, The Fletcher of Glenorchy, An Ancient Scottish Clan |publisher=Spaceless.com |date= |accessdate=2012-10-13}} |
| Angus Fletcher, 10th Chief | 1763–1807 | ||
| John Fletcher, 11th Chief | 1807–1822 | Commissioned the bridge from Thomas Telford | |
| Angus Fletcher, 12th Chief | 1822–1875 | Commissioned the Gothic elaboration from Andrew Kerr | |
| Harriet Fletcher Bernard James Cuddon-Fletcher | 1875–1889 | Cuddon took his wife's name, as did their children, keeping the estate in the Fletcher name | {{cite web|url=http://www.spaceless.com/fletcher/flet4_pedigree.htm |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20041021044738/http://www.spaceless.com/fletcher/flet4_pedigree.htm |archivedate=2004-10-21 |title=Dunans: The Fletcher of Glenorchy - An Ancient Scottish Clan |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=2004-10-21 |accessdate=2012-10-13}} |
| Bernard James Cuddon-Fletcher | 1889–1934 | Cuddon-Fletcher kept the estate in his own right between his wife's death and his own demise. | |
| Andrew William Fletcher Ian Archibald Fletcher | 1934 | Shared between the previous owners' 3rd and 4th sons | |
| Ian Archibald Fletcher | 1934–1962 | Bought out his brother after the estate was left to them both. | |
| Colonel Archibald Ian Douglas "Archie" Fletcher | 1962-1997 | Upon his death his heirs sold the castle out of the Fletcher line. | |
| Jonathan Irving Hyslop Pranee Hyslop | 1997–1999 | {{cite web|url=http://www.scotcourts.gov.uk/search-judgments/judgment?id=7dfa86a6-8980-69d2-b500-ff0000d74aa7|title=Judgement of Scottish Law Courts}} | |
| Robert David Lucas-Gardiner Ewa Jheresa Lucas-Gardiner | 1999–2003 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20140610193740/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18781146.html "The countess, her castle, and the fake Faberg eggs", The Scotsman, John Woodcock, January 20, 2001 ] | |
| Charles Selwyn Dixon-Spain Sadie Michaela Dixon-Spain | 2003– | Bought the ruin for £230,000 | [https://web.archive.org/web/20140610193739/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-13050638.html "Mill conversion would 'destroy' value of castle", The Scotsman, John Ross, August 2, 2004 ] |
Gallery
File:Dunan's Castle, Glendaruel - geograph.org.uk - 367302.jpg
File:Dunan's Castle, Glendaruel - geograph.org.uk - 367299.jpg
References
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External links
{{oscoor gbx|NS 04064 91102}}
{{Commons category|Dunans Castle}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dunans Castle}}
Category:Category B listed buildings in Argyll and Bute
Category:Listed castles in Scotland
Category:Reportedly haunted locations in Scotland
Category:Ruined castles in Argyll and Bute