Preserving History, Promoting Conservation, Celebrating Culture
History of Dougarie Estate
The Estate dates back to 1865 when the 11th Duke of Hamilton chose to build his summerhouse here and he continued to add the other buildings surrounding the Lodge over time. It is thought that much of the architecture was influenced by his wife, Princess Marie of Baden and it still has many of the unique features such as deerskins on the passage walls, antler door handles, and an original window over the main fireplace. Until the 1970s it had antlers adorning the external walls. The Hamilton, Montrose, and Gibbs families have overseen the stewardship of the Estate over the last 150 years and we see ourselves as the custodians for future generations.
Conservation
We are one of only 7 Estates in Scotland that have achieved a silver accreditation with Wildlife Estates Scotland. This award focuses on enhancing biodiversity and best practice land management and remains a key focal point for many of the environmental projects we undertake.
The Boathouse Wedding Venue
When the 11th Duke of Hamilton chose to build his summerhouse here, he added the Boathouse where he launched boats for fishing with his guests during the day and hosted ceilidhs for them at night.
When we decided to renovate and bring back to life the beautiful Boathouse we knew it was going to have to be a labour of love.
It's a magical place that’s been hosting parties for a long time. It’s in the fabric of the building.
Work began in 2020 and we were ready to welcome our first guests into the Boathouse in 2021.
We invite you to get in touch to find out how we can help you create your most memorable day