Our autumn excursion took us to Mount Stuart on
the Isle of Bute, the grand Victorian mansion of the 3rd Marquess of Bute.
After a slightly inauspicious start - our
normal pick up point had to be changed due to filming in the centre of Glasgow
- thirty Friends enjoyed a trip to Wemyss Bay and a sail across the water to
Rothesay.
On arrival at Mount Stuart we split into two,
one group having lunch whilst the other had a guided tour of the house.
The Marble Hall, built of Sicilian marble and
alabaster and soaring to a height of eighty feet, is a magnificent if somewhat
overpowering sight.
Our guide led us through the history of the
house which mirrors the 3rd Marquess’s interests in astronomy and astrology,
evident in many of the rooms and decoration.
Perhaps we could have done with more time to
study the fine family portraits by Ramsay, Raeburn and an atypical one by
Thomas Lawrence.
Throughout the tour we came face to face with
the art installation “The Power of Twelve” by Christine Borland which reflects
the use of the house as a naval hospital during the first world war and some of
us braved the sudden rain shower to visit part of the installation in the
swimming pool in the garden.
Time for a cuppa in Rothesay before boarding
the ferry and back to Glasgow. A long day but well worth it, thanks to the
organisation by Marion Maudsley and our helpful driver, Sean.
