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In 1445 a charter of the lands of Duntreath (forfeited in 1425 by the Earls of Lennox) was granted in favour of Sir William Edmonstone of Culloden and his wife, Mary, daughter to King Robert III. King James II regranted the lands as a barony in 1452. Their son, another Sir William, was Lord of Articles of the Scottish Parliament. His grandson, yet another Sir William, fell at the battle of Flodden in 1513. Sir James Edmonstone enlarged the family seat, Duntreath Castle, c 1600, building new ranges to the south of the original 14th century hall block with a high tower (known as the 'Dumb Laird's Tower' after a late 17th century occupant). During the 18th century the castle fell into disrepair with the family residing much of the time at Redhall in Ireland. Sir William's great great grandson, Sir Archibald Edmonstone of Duntreath was created a Baronet in 1774 and sat in Parliament for Dunbartonshire and for the burghs of Ayr and Irvine, 1761-1795. Sir Charles Edmonstone, 2nd Baronet (1764-1821) was MP for Stirling 1812-1821. The 3rd baronet, Sir Archibald, rebuilt Duntreath Castle in 1857 under the architects Charles Wilson and David Thomson. His brother, the 4th Baronet (1810-1902) was MP for Stirling 1874-1880 and ADC to Queen Victoria. The eldest son of the 5th Baronet died in 1916, having made further alterations to Duntreath Castle 1889-93 by Sidney Mitchell and Charles Wilson (the resulting lavish interior was illustrated in 'Das Englische Haus' by Hermann Muthesrus, 1904-5). His younger brother, Sir Archibald Edmonstone (1898-1954) succeeded to the title as 6th Baronet. His son, Archibald (1934-) is now the 7th Baronet. |