The description of Kinross House as one of the most beautiful country houses in Scotland is indeed well deserved. Designed and built for himself, the house is the masterpiece of Sir William Bruce, who is renowned for introducing classical architecture to Scotland.

Situated on the east side of the old market town of Kinross, the mansion is built on a slight rise, taking advantage of the expansive views overlooking the gardens to Loch Leven and the island castle where Mary Queen of Scots was famously held prisoner. The estate on which Kinross House stands was originally owned by the Earls of Morton, but was bought by in 1675 by Sir William Bruce, regarded as one of the country’s most important architects.

A classically elegant Palladian mansion, it is generally considered to be the most elegant and refined examples of his work. Bruce was known as a gentleman architect, the younger son of Robert Bruce of Blairhall, an ancestor of the present Earl of Elgin and Kincardine. After being appointed ‘King’s Surveyor and Architect’ in 1671, Sir William Bruce was responsible for the rebuilding of Holyrood House in Edinburgh as well as major works for Hopetoun House, Thirlestane and Balcaskie, but Kinross was to be his masterpiece. In 1777, Kinross House and the surrounding estate was bought by George Graham, the greatgreat- great grandfather of the present owner.

The house then passed to the Montgomery family in 1819 when Sir James Montgomery married George Graham’s granddaughter Helen. Due to the fact that the Montgomery family had their preferred home at Stobo Castle in the borders, Kinross House was not lived in for 80 years and escaped without any of the remodelling that was commonplace with houses during the Victorian era. Therefore when Sir Basil Montgomery inherited the estate in 1902, he was determined to awaken a sleeping beauty and set about sensitive restoration of both house and gardens.

Kinross has been lived in continually as a family home by the Montgomerys since 1902. The location of the house was selected so that the central axis of both the new house and the gardens has a focus through the delightful ‘Fish Gate’ towards Loch Leven Castle.

The drawing room.

For a house of this grandeur and style there is accommodation to suit with an entrance hall and five reception rooms, kitchen, study and two cloakrooms on the ground floor. The first floor boasts a ballroom, former state bedroom (now a games room) playroom, six bedrooms, two bathrooms and a bathroom/dressing room. The second floor contains a further eight bedrooms, a bathroom and a self contained flat comprising sitting room, two bedrooms and bathroom. There is also basement accommodation including a former kitchen, wine cellar, gunroom, laundry and several storage rooms. The formal gardens of Kinross House are a superb and attractive feature of the property.

Situated either side of the entrance drive are two lodges – the North Lodge with sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom and the South Lodge with kitchen, sitting room, three bedrooms and bathroom. The stable courtyard comprises four cottages, a flat, stables and various outbuildings. Trout fishing rights are available on Loch Leven by boat and in all there are 22 acres of pasture, 54 acres of gardens, policies and woods

field facts

Kinross House, Kinross Offers over £4.25million Strutt & Parker, Tel: 0131 226 2500 Knight Frank, Tel: 0131 222 9600