| Most viewed - Mansions |

Redtower2035 viewsAn early image of the dining room of Redtower, 4 Douglas Drive West, Helensburgh, a red sandstone chateau-like mansion built in 1898 by distinguished local architect William Leiper for grocer James Allan. At the end of the 20th century it was bought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Glasgow and used as a drug rehabilitation centre, but it has since reverted to private use and the name has been changed to Redtowers. Image supplied by Dr Nigel Allan.
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Bloomhill2035 viewsBloomhill at Cardross, circa 1910, with Whitton the coachman and the coach. The grade B listed mansion, built about 1838 for Alexander Ferrier, became a childrens home after the Second World War, and is now a care home. Image supplied by Colin Donald.
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Redtower2012 viewsAn early image of Redtower, 4 Douglas Drive West, Helensburgh, a red sandstone chateau-like mansion built in 1898 by distinguished local architect William Leiper for grocer James Allan. At the end of the 20th century it was bought by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Glasgow and used as a drug rehabilitation centre, but it has since reverted to private use and the name has been changed to Redtowers. Image supplied by Dr Nigel Allan.
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Cameron House2004 viewsAn aerial view of Cameron House on Loch Lomondside, near Alexandria, before it became a luxury hotel. It was the family home of Patrick Telfer Smollett and his wife Gina, surrounded by 25 acres of gardens which for some years he operated as a Bear Park before he sold the property in 1986. The 18th century baronial mansion — for a time the home of 18th century novelist and poet Tobias Smollett — was steeped in Scottish history, and contained many unique and unusual collections. For three centuries, the Cameron House estate remained in the hands of the Smollett family, originally merchants and shipbuilders from Dumbarton and later wealthy landed gentry. Image date unknown.
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Cameron House1955 viewsCameron House at Duck Bay, Loch Lomond, before it became a luxury hotel. It was the family home of Patrick Telfer Smollett and his wife Gina, and was surrounded by 25 acres of gardens which for some years he operated as a Bear Park before he sold the property in 1986. The 18th century baronial mansion — for a time the home of 18th century novelist and poet Tobias Smollett — was steeped in Scottish history, and contained many unique and unusual collections. For three centuries, the Cameron House estate remained in the hands of the Smollett family, originally merchants and shipbuilders from Dumbarton and later wealthy landed gentry.
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Rhu Arden1894 viewsA 2013 image of Rhu Arden, 1 Upper Sutherland Crescent, Helensburgh, which was built about 1871 by noted architect William Leiper and was originally named Bonnington. Later he built his own home, Terpersie, next door. Photo by Donald Fullarton.
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Bowls at Shandon Hydro.1893 viewsTwo gentlemen are seen playing bowls on the lawn of Shandon Hydropathic Hotel. Originally West Shandon, this magnificent building was the home of Robert Napier, the greatest figure in Clyde shipbuilding and marine engineering in the mid-19th century. During World War One the Hydro became a hospital, and in World War Two it was used by the army. In 1951 it became a hotel again, but in 1957 it was closed and demolished. Image circa 1905.
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Cairndhu carving1865 viewsA cafrving high on the wall of the former Cairndhu Hotel, later a nursing home for the elderly and now disused and boarded up. Originally Cairndhu House, it was built in 1871 to a William Leiper design in the style of a grand chateau for John Ure, Provost of Glasgow, whose son became Lord Strathclyde and lived in the mansion. 2011 image by Stewart Noble.
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Hill House under construction1854 viewsA 1902 image of The Hill House, the Upper Colquhoun Street mansion designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for Walter W.Blackie, under construction. It was completed in 1904. © Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland.
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Ardencaple House1850 viewsArdencaple House when it was a private dwelling. Originally a coaching inn, it was built in the early 1800s by the Duke of Argyll and had its own stables to cater for travellers between Glasgow and Argyll. It replaced the Cairndhu Inn which once stood in Cairndhu Park, which is now Kidston Park, and used much of its stonework. About 1860 it became a private mansion owned by Mrs Rosina Drew and her husband Peter, and about 1912 it reverted to being the Ardencaple Hotel. Image circa 1900.
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Bowls at Shandon Hydro1833 viewsTwo gentlemen are seen playing bowls on the lawn of Shandon Hydropathic Hotel. Originally West Shandon, this magnificent building was the home of Robert Napier, the greatest figure in Clyde shipbuilding and marine engineering in the mid-19th century. During World War One the Hydro became a hospital, and in World War Two it was used by the army. In 1951 it became a hotel again, but in 1957 it was closed and demolished. Image circa 1905.
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Knockderry Castle1829 viewsA 1902 image of Knockderry Castle, high above the Cove shore. Built on the site of a Danish fort about 1855 to the design of the famous architect Alexander 'Greek' Thomson, the Castle became the family home of the Templeton carpet manufacturing family. In 1896-7 another famous architect, William Leiper, designed an extension and a lodge for John Templeton, and a famous guest of his at the castle was millionaire philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. For some years a hotel, it is now a private residence again.
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