Art Treasures of Kinloch Castle

THE LIBRARY KINLOCH CASTLE
ISLE OF RUM, SCOTLAND

Written from first-hand on-site research and illustrated from his personal photographic archive by George W. Randall, co-founder in July 1996 and former Vice Chairman Kinloch Castle Friends’ Association.

From 1900 Floor Plan.

The full 1900 Floor Plan compared to today can be found at the end of this article

George W. Randall Research Archive copyright

All images George W. Randall Research Archive

George W. Randall Research Archive copyright

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1.The Sea Its Stirring Story of Adventure, Peril and Heroism;

2. Burke's Peerage; 3. Boutel's Heraldry;

4. Dod's Peerage 1904; 5.Almanac de Gotha 1907.

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Comparing The Catalogue of Library Books compiled by Phillips, Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers, Edinburgh, March 1979 with personal and photographic records conducted between 1992-2012 it is clear the books have not only been moved around

a great deal but a number of volumes are missing.

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BELOW A SELECTION AND CONTENT DESCRIPION

OF SOME OF THE VOLUMES IN THE KINLOCH CASTLE LIBRARY.

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BOOKS MISSING

Dedications and publication dates indicate books in the original

Library/Morning Room when the castle was completed in 1900.

In 1906, with the arrival of Lady Bullough, the use of south facing rooms was changed. The former Library/Morning Room became the Empire Sitting Room, reflecting Lady Bullough's French heritage.

The books from the Morning Room were re-located to Sir George Bullough's Business Room, today termed the Library, it contains circa one thousand titles, many of which were published post 1906.

The contents of the library and the castle as a whole reflect the Era they represent,
they are a valuable educational resource in their own right providing an insight into the world of a wealthy industrialist at the height of the Victorian Era

before the Great War swept it all away!

As a time capsule of an Edwardian Highland hunting lodge Kinloch Castle is unique.

Today it is no longer open to staying guests but guided tours continue.

How long before lack of funding to save the interior and contents

will add this survivor to the long list of lost heritage?

George W. Randall Research Archive.

On top of the bookcase left are seventy-two volumes of Baily’s Sporting Magazine,

below sixty-three volumes of The Dictionary of National Biography,

below a complete set Encyclopædia Britannica and below again fifty-two titles

by Sir Walter Scott.

The watercolour of Loch Scresort is by Byron Cooper.

The photogravure, right of the doorway,

is by John Elliott & Clarence Edmond Fry,

55, Baker Street, London, depicts John Bullough, Sir George's father,
and dates circa late 1880’s.

On top of the bookcase by the door is one of a pair of
Imari vases painted with panels of Shou Lao, deer, butterflies and flowers.

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The Bullough Pedigree traces the family back to
"Stephen Bulhalgh Born circa. 1200 (who) Held lands in Kirkdale, County Lancaster.

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BRONZE EAGLE HAS BEEN MOVED SEVERAL TIMES SINCE ACQUISITION ...

WHY ? WHY ? WHY ?

George W. Randall Research Archive.

A head study of the magnificent Bronze Eagle.

It has been moved on at least two occasions, in the process sustaining damage.

An early photograph, circa. 1910, depicts it in the Great Hall.

The 1959 Scot's Magazine picture shows it in the turret alcove of the Library,

whereas since my first visit in 1992 it has been returned to the Great Hall

as a centre piece, the cased Golden Eagle below replacing it in the turret.

George W. Randall Research Archive.

Today an ebonised cased study of a Golden Eagle with its prey, a hare in winter coat,
replaces the bronze eagle in the Library turret alcove.
Hares, introduced to the island when a sporting estate soon died out.
There are no rabbits on the island.
Rats are a problem for ground nesting birds,
particularly the Manx Shearwater, (Puffinus puffinus).

Also in the Library:-

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GROUND FLOOR PLANS OF KINLOCH CASTLE

Sir George Bullough's Business Room is upper left and incorporates the south-west turret.

A "patent thief-resisting" Ratner Safe is fitted into the north wall facing into the business room.

With the need to combine business room and library post 1903 and accommodate a quadruple section bookcase along that north wall the safe was turned 180 degrees to open into the adjoining .