designtripper

Stay: Gargunnock House

Near Stirling, Scotland

10.18.2010 | by: Meghan

Every summer Lisa Borgnes Giramonti from A Bloomsbury Life takes a big trip with some friends and their families. This summer, they opted for this nearly 25,000-square-foot Scottish manse. It was their fourth visit. Almost 15 years ago, Lisa and her husband, who were living in London at the time, were invited by friends and shared the house with a bunch of DJ’s, club kids and a fabulous drag queen who dressed up in a Victorian ball gown every evening. This trip was a little different. Cue a bunch of kids sprawled out, playing board games and hide-and-seek in the immaculate, formal rooms, running around the lush grounds and embarking on muddy hikes, jumping fences, crossing sheep pastures and picnicking on mountaintops.

Lisa gives Designtripper a special account:
After a couple weeks of seeing nothing but castles, lochs, sheep and the greenest grass you’ve ever seen, your brain is operating on an entirely different level. It’s even better for kids: my son lives on a pretty tight leash at home [in Hollywood], so being able to nod and say “Go!” when he asks if he can go off exploring is great.

The last owner of the house, a confirmed bachelorette named Viola Stirling, drove an ambulance in WWII and spent her life as gameskeeper of the estate along with her companion Miss Fairlie. When she died, she specified in her will that the house and grounds be preserved for the happiness of others. There’s a photo of Viola in one of the bedrooms—she has wavy cropped hair, a military uniform and a wonderful twinkle in her eye. Many pieces that belonged to her family are still in the house: all the ancestral portraits crowding the dining room walls, the piano in the grand salon that was supposedly played by Chopin, and the library that’s full of Viola’s books on horticulture and Scottish history. Staying at the house is incredibly personal; it doesn’t feel like a rental property at all. When we went on a hike this summer, I grabbed an umbrella in the hall to take with me in case it rained. When I opened it, it was a bit moth-eaten and rusty, which made sense when I saw the brass plate on it that said, “Viola Stirling, Gargunnock, 1913”! Her spirit is still very much alive there.

More than the scope of the property, it’s the house’s eccentricities which linger in my mind. Gargunnock is slightly mysterious, like the house in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.” One hallway has such a sloping floor that marbles roll sideways and you almost have to grab onto the wall. There’s a bedroom on the third floor with signatures etched into the window panes—one reads “Miss Eliza, 1849.” Was she a governess? A young girl? An unmarried spinster?

The Details
The country house is owned and operated by the Landmark Trust—a UK-based company that rescues historic homes from neglect and restores them for future generations to enjoy on holiday. Prices start around $3,400 for a week.

Share/Bookmark

29 November 2021 | 24 Saatte Aşık Etme Duası Said:

24 Saatte Aşık Etme Duası https://www.baglamaduasi.net/24-saatte-asik-etme-duasi/

29 November 2021 | Aşık Etme Büyüsü Said:

Aşık Etme Büyüsü https://www.baglamaduasi.net/asik-etme-buyusu/

29 November 2021 | สล็อต mafia มาใหม่ Said:

I always was interested in this subject and stock still am, thanks for putting up.

29 November 2021 | disposable gloves Said:

I dugg some of you post as I thought they were very helpful handy

29 November 2021 | wordpress theme download Said:

We provide downloads of Premium WordPress Themes from all leading WordPress Developers.

30 November 2021 | statistics代写 Said:

I am glad to be a visitant of this stark web site! , thankyou for this rare info ! .

30 November 2021 | เว็บเดิมพัน Said:

I really appreciate this post. I’ve been looking everywhere for this! Thank goodness I found it on Bing. You’ve made my day! Thanks again

30 November 2021 | สูตรแทงบอล Said:

I carry on listening to the news lecture about receiving boundless online grant applications so I have been looking around for the finest site to get one. Could you advise me please, where could i acquire some?

30 November 2021 | Aşk Büyüsü Nasıl Bozulur? Said:

Aşk Büyüsü Nasıl Bozulur?

30 November 2021 | Aşk Büyüsü Belirtileri Nelerdir? Said:

Aşk Büyüsü Belirtileri Nelerdir? https://www.baglamaduasi.net/ask-buyusu-belirtileri-nelerdir/

30 November 2021 | Aşık Etme Duası Said:

Aşık Etme Duası https://www.baglamaduasi.net/asik-etme-duasi/

30 November 2021 | Bağlama Büyüsü Said:

Bağlama Büyüsü https://www.dermanhoca.com/baglama-buyusu/

30 November 2021 | AAwwthk Said:

Щенячий патруль: Улётная помощь в хорошем качестве Щенячий патруль: Улётная помощь смотреть полный мультфильм

30 November 2021 | türk smm panel Said:

You made some decent points there. I did a search on the topic and found most guys will agree with your website.

30 November 2021 | ακτοπλοικα Said:

Hi , I do believe this is an excellent blog. I stumbled upon it on Yahoo , i will come back once again. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and help other people

30 November 2021 | เกมบาคาร่า Said:

You are my inhalation, I own few web logs and very sporadically run out from to brand : (.

30 November 2021 | Nashville car accident lawyer Said:

Hello, of course this piece of writing is really good and I have learned
lot of things from it on the topic of blogging. thanks.

30 November 2021 | Medyum Ali Gürses Hoca Yorumları Said:

Güvenilir Medyum Yorumları https://www.baglamaduasi.net/baglama-buyusu-yapilip-yapilmadigini-nasil-anlarim/

30 November 2021 | lazer markalama makinasi Said:

30 November 2021 | สมัคร สล็อต xo Said:

This really answered my problem, thank you!

30 November 2021 | Wilmer Severn Said:

Good post. I learn one thing more challenging on completely different blogs everyday. It’s going to always be stimulating to learn content from other writers and follow just a little one thing from their store. I’d choose to make use of some with the content on my weblog whether or not you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a hyperlink on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

30 November 2021 | http://www.library-services.sblinks.net/out/horse-race-betting-a-safe-way-in-the-form-of-master-at-betting Said:

This post provides clear idea in support of the new visitors of blogging, that
genuinely how to do blogging.

30 November 2021 | real estate agents near me Said:

Really informative article post.Really looking forward to read more. Keep writing.

30 November 2021 | สูตรบาคาร่าฟรี Said:

I am no longer certain the place you’re getting your information, however good topic. I needs to spend a while finding out more or figuring out more. Thank you for excellent info I used to be looking for this information for my mission.

30 November 2021 | Al Kabir Town Lahore Said:

I wanted to thank you for this great read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post…

30 November 2021 | pg slot ฝาก20รับ100 Said:

Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care

30 November 2021 | daftar togel sydney Said:

This information is invaluable. Where can I
find out more?

30 November 2021 | www.weather.bookmarking.site Said:

I constantly emailed this web site post page to all
my associates, as if like to read it next my links will
too.

01 December 2021 | สูตรบาคาร่า Said:

Really great visual appeal on this website , I’d value it 10 10.

01 December 2021 | PORN Said:

An excellent article. I have now learned about this. Thanks admin

01 December 2021 | Aşk Duası Said:

Aşk Duası https://www.dermanhoca.com/ask-duasi/

01 December 2021 | windows 7-server 2008 r2 service pack 1 release candidate Said:

Whoa! This blog looks exactly like my old one! It’s on a
completely different subject but it has pretty much the same page layout and design. Outstanding choice of colors!

Feel free to surf to my page: windows 7-server 2008 r2 service pack 1 release candidate

01 December 2021 | 카지노사이트 Said:

Remarkable issues here. I’m very satisfied to see your post.
Thank you so much and I am taking a look forward to contact you.

Will you kindly drop me a e-mail?

01 December 2021 | Hildred Said:

Good post! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our website.
Keep up the good writing.

01 December 2021 | Luxury Travel Advice Said:

I’m not sure where you’re getting your info, but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning more or understanding more. Thanks for fantastic information I was looking for this info for my mission.

01 December 2021 | Dedra Said:

I’m really enjoying the design and layout of your blog.
It’s a very easy on the eyes which makes it much more
enjoyable for me to come here and visit more often. Did you
hire out a developer to create your theme?
Superb work!

01 December 2021 | live agones Said:

thnxxx

01 December 2021 | Santral Anons Said:

This is a very good tips especially to those new to blogosphere, brief and accurate information… Thanks for sharing this one. A must read article.

01 December 2021 | see Said:

Right here is the right website for anybody who would like
to find out about this topic. You understand a whole lot its almost tough to argue with you (not
that I actually will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a subject that
has been discussed for years. Great stuff, just wonderful!

01 December 2021 | Paulbox Said:

online pharmacy tadalafil

01 December 2021 | Rhys Said:

When someone writes an paragraph he/she maintains the idea of a
user in his/her mind that how a user can know it. So that’s why this article
is great. Thanks!

01 December 2021 | 愛心包包 Said:

儘管具有古怪的性格和非常規的平台，Tie Break 仍為客戶提供有價值的信息，並充當 Hermès
世界的窗口。

01 December 2021 | AAdmgxj Said:

https://bit.ly/schenyachiy-patrul-uletnaya-pomosch – Щенячий патруль: Улётная помощь смотреть онлайн в хорошем качестве полностью

02 December 2021 | minecraft server 1038.druglegends.net:25565 Said:

I am really inspired with your writing talents as well
as with the format to your weblog. Is that this a paid subject or did you customize it your self?

Anyway stay up the nice high quality writing, it’s uncommon to peer a great weblog like this one today..

02 December 2021 | Vince Said:

Good day! I simply wish to give you a big thumbs up for the excellent information you have got here on this post.
I will be coming back to your website for more soon.

02 December 2021 | Periodontistas em Presidente Prudente Said:

I always was concerned in this subject and stock still am, regards for putting up.

02 December 2021 | Andrea Said:

Hi, Neat post. There is a problem together with your web site in internet explorer, would test this?
IE nonetheless is the market leader and a good section of folks
will pass over your magnificent writing due to this problem.

02 December 2021 | 남양주1인샵 Said: