North West Castle: A Scottish Country House and Curling Hotel
Site at a Glance
- Rating
- 4.2
- Popularity
- Low
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Primary era
- Modern
- External website
- Open
- Eras represented
- Modern
- Civilizations
- British
- Site type
- Domestic
- Remains
- Elite Residence
On this page9 sections
History
Sir John Ross and the Arctic expeditions
North West Castle is a nineteenth-century country house in Stranraer, Scotland, United Kingdom, built in 1820 by Sir John Ross after his return from the first of a series of Arctic expeditions in search of the Northwest Passage, the sea route linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through the waterways of Arctic North America. Ross also laid out the grounds and commissioned a life-size model of his cabin aboard the ship Victory, allowing visitors to examine details associated with polar navigation.
Robert Cunningham’s residence
In 1860, North West Castle became the home of Reverend Robert Cunningham, an influential figure in nineteenth-century Scottish education. He moved there after retiring as headmaster of George Watson’s College in Edinburgh and lived at the house until his death in 1883.
Cunningham had been the founding headmaster of the Edinburgh Institution for Language and Mathematics, later known as Melville College, and founded Blairlodge School in Polmont. His residence at North West Castle followed his involvement in the foundation of the Free Church of Scotland after the May 1843 Disruption, when ministers and congregations separated from the established Church of Scotland during a major dispute over church governance and patronage.
Hotel and curling rink
In 1970, North West Castle became the world’s first hotel with an indoor curling rink. The building continues to accommodate curlers from around the world and functions as a three-star country house hotel.
Remains
House and grounds
Country house
The principal surviving building is the nineteenth-century country house constructed in 1820. Its grounds were laid out in connection with the building’s construction, forming part of the site developed by Sir John Ross.
Ross’s cabin model
A life-size model of the cabin from Ross’s ship Victory survives as part of the hotel bar. It preserves the maritime and polar association that shaped the house after Ross returned from his Arctic expedition.
Indoor curling rink
The hotel contains an indoor curling ice rink introduced in 1970. Its incorporation into the former country house created the sporting facility for which North West Castle continues to accommodate curlers from around the world.
Nearby sites
