Description: Argyll's Lodging, in the historic old town of Stirling, is the finest surviving 17th century townhouse in Scotland. The founder of Nova Scotia, Sir William Alexander (Earl of Stirling), bought and extended the house in the 1630s. He added wings to create a building on three sides of a courtyard with a screen wall facing on to Castle Wynd. Using the latest architectural ideas— including thinner walls and larger windows—he make the building lighter and more pleasant to live in. Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll, inherited the property in the mid-1660s.
Argyll's Lodging stands on the approach road to Stirling Castle, making it a convenient address for nobles meeting the king, as he often stayed at the Castle. Indeed the main source of architectural inspiration for the Renaissance exterior detail is James V’s palace in Stirling Castle.
To fit with the earls’ exalted status, the lavish interior design equalled the impressiveness of the outside. Many of the rooms furnishing included arras tapestries, and matching screens. Roaring fires blazed from the huge carved fireplaces, painted in gold and vibrant colours.
The building is now in the care of Historic Scotland. Using an available inventory, they have refurnished the apartments as they appeared around 1680, when the Earl of Argyll owned it, making it easy to envisage life here.
The drawing room’s sumptuous furnishing includes tapestries lining the walls. The fireplace is decorated with mythical beasts and the arms of Lord Stirling and his wife. In the "state apartment" the Earl had his meals and entertained distinguished guests. He sat upon his chair of state while his family and guests sat on cane chairs. For larger dinner parties he entertained guests in the high dining room with the tables set with fine glass, china, and silver dishes. Here, also, the family’s collection of paintings hung from the wall. To allow the space to double as a reception room on formal occasions, the 12 tables folded away. A blazing log fire, with a richly carved surround, kept everyone warm.
The bedroom used by the Earl and Countess of Argyll has a huge four-poster bed, draped in purple cloth matching the wall hangings. In the 17th century, this was often the most expensive item of furniture in an aristocrat's house. On occasions, the Earl may have received favoured guests while sitting up in bed—a sign of haughty condescension, which would allow him to show off his expensive furniture!
There are several doors off the bedroom, with one leading on to a spiral staircase used by servants to gain access without having to pass through public areas. Another leads to perhaps the most remarkable room in the house, ‘my Lady’s closet’. In 1680 the list off furnishings and precious objects in this room owned by Lady Anna MacKenzie, the earl’s second wife proved longer than for any room except the storeroom. Doing her very best to fit with the earl’s exalted status, or just being a woman?
Close