Ross Priory

Ross Priory is an early 19th-century country house located west of Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire, on the south shore of Loch Lomond, Scotland. From the 14th century the estate, known as The Ross, was owned by a branch of the Buchanan family of Buchanan Castle, who built a house here in 1695. The present house is the result of remodelling by James Gillespie Graham and was complete in 1816. The term "priory" does not imply ecclesiastical provenance, but is simply a 19th-century romantic affectation. Sir Walter Scott spent time at Ross Priory in the years following the rebuilding. It was owned by subsequent members of the Leith-Buchanan family until the later 20th century. In 1973 it was sold to Strathclyde University and now serves as a recreational and conference centre. Ross Priory is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens. HistoryThe history of Ross Priory began with the Buchanan Clan during the 11th century. A dwelling is known to have existed on the site from as early as 1693. It is reported that in 1745 the Buchanans were cursed by the Marquess of Tullibardine, who, in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden asked James Leith-Buchanan, 5th of Ross, for shelter at the Priory but was instead betrayed and given over to King George's men. Tullibardine cursed them with the utterance:

Ross Priory is an early 19th-century country house located west of Gartocharn, West Dunbartonshire, on the south shore of Loch Lomond, Scotland. From the 14th century the estate, known as The Ross, was owned by a branch of the Buchanan family of Buchanan Castle, who built a house here in 1695. The present house is the result of remodelling by James Gillespie Graham and was complete in 1816. The term "priory" does not imply ecclesiastical provenance, but is simply a 19th-century romantic affectation. Sir Walter Scott spent time at Ross Priory in the years following the rebuilding. It was owned by subsequent members of the Leith-Buchanan family until the later 20th century. In 1973 it was sold to Strathclyde University and now serves as a recreational and conference centre. Ross Priory is protected as a category A listed building, and the grounds are included on the Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland, the national listing of significant gardens. HistoryThe history of Ross Priory began with the Buchanan Clan during the 11th century. A dwelling is known to have existed on the site from as early as 1693. It is reported that in 1745 the Buchanans were cursed by the Marquess of Tullibardine, who, in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden asked James Leith-Buchanan, 5th of Ross, for shelter at the Priory but was instead betrayed and given over to King George's men. Tullibardine cursed them with the utterance: