Great Houses of Scotland: A History and Guide (Universe Architecture Series)

Great Houses of Scotland: A History and a Guide provides the historic traveler with a witty, visually spectacular guide to more than twenty-five of the greatest houses in Scotland, some of which appear here for the first time ever on public view. Writer Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd and photographer Christopher Simon Sykes, the team responsible for the popular guide Great Houses of England and Wales, return to provide this humorous, poetic view of the development of architectural style in Scotland.

From old tower houses such as Cawdor and Traquair, to the burgeoning bartizans of Glamis, this book will lead travelers to delightful historic surprises. Beloved old architectural favorites such as Blair, Hopetoun, Mellerstain, and Abbotsford are seen from the inside out, accompanied by views of spectacular Baroque examples such as Drumlanrig, or pioneering classicist edifices like Kinross. A selection of work by famed architect William Adam is included, seen in his little-known masterpieces such as Arniston, the House of Dun, and the palatial Duff House.

In the Spectator, Patrick James commended Sykes's "Well-trained eye, always scanning an unusual view or a forgotten corner," as well as Massingberd's wit and authoritative view on opulent Edwardian artifacts such as Manderston and Ardkinglas. "Another bull's eye!" wrote John McEwan in the Literary Review. "As before, it is the charm that tells, the humorous and poetic eye for idiosyncrasy which distinguishes both the writing and the photography."

Whether traveling to Scotland or traveling by armchair, aficionados of great house style will appreciate the lush, detailed photographs of each manor's interior and exterior. Informational and approachable, Great Houses of Scotland: A History and a Guide is an ideal travel companion and guide through the fascinating social, political, and architectural history that constructed the magnificent great houses of Scotland.