The MacDougalls of Argyll

It was overcast again today, with once again sudden squalls interrupting the gloom. So during a rain-break I took a walk round to Dunollie House which sits just below the prominent land mark of Dunollie Castle.

Dunollie has been the clan seat of the MacDougalls since the 12th century. The Castle itself stands on much older foundations, dating back to a Bronze Age fort, and has a colourful history. Among other adventures and intrigues, it was taken over by Cromwell's soldiers, then besieged during the first Jacobite wars

Recently opened is the 1745 House behind the main house you see here. It houses part of the Hope MacDougall Collection of clan artifacts, giving great insight to the social history of the area and beyond. Hope was daughter, sister and aunt to three successive clan chieftains, and started her collection in 1950 with a simple wooden spoon. Over the next 50 years she amassed some 5000 objects, including wonderful early photographs of everyday life. The 1745 House was the first Laird's house when the clan moved out of the castle. The main house came later with subsequent additions, and the old house became the servants quarters.

Last year the 1745 House was renovated and opened to the public, along with an embryonic tea room, currently opening only one Sunday a month. From my experience, I can tell you their teas are worth going the extra mile. You might even bump into the current Clan Chief, a delightful lady who kindly looked after us on the day we took tea in the old kitchen.

When current plans are realised - to make Dunollie a clan centre and a centre for research and genealogy - the large portion of the main house will still be home to the Clan Chief. The Centre will also explore the Clan's links to the islands of Kerrera and Lismore, both subjects of my recent blips.

Dunollie is already 'Home' to many thousands of MacDougalls living all round the world. It can only become an even more important focal point when these ambitious and welcome plans come to fruition.

Footnote:
During renovations and preparations in 2010, a tartan was discovered at Dunollie, hanging as curtains. An expert in early tartan said that, judging by the weaving and construction of the cloth, the tartan was at least 200 years old, and based on an even earlier piece. The tartan is now being reproduced and sold as The Heritage MacDougall tartan.