ALEXANDER ROSS CENTENARY SYMPOSIUM

ALEXANDER ROSS CENTENARY SYMPOSIUM

Ardtornish House is hosting an architectural symposium to commemorate the centenary of the unrivalled Highland architect, Alexander Ross (1834-1925).

Ross had an extraordinarily prolific output, with fine examples of his work to be found in almost every Highland town. Inverness Cathedral and its surrounding streets are perhaps his most significant surviving legacy, but beautifully crafted churches, schools, villas, and country houses all over the Highlands and Islands bear testament to the range and diversity of Ross’s buildings and an architectural and social vision that deserves to be better known. The symposium will reveal new research and insight into the life and work of an architect who has too often been underrated, and celebrate his contribution to Scotland’s built heritage, in particular that of the West Highlands.

Built in the 1890s for Thomas Valentine Smith, Ardtornish represents the high point of the Victorian Highland country house. It survives largely intact, complete with original furnishings and a full ensemble of estate buildings, and is a significant landmark in an outstanding West Highland setting.

Offer for AHSS Members

The symposium, including a light lunch, will be free of charge to members of the Architectural Heritage Society of Scotland (AHSS) and open to non-members if they join the society. Seats will be on a first-come, first-served basis, so please email Hannah Collins at Ardtornish on hannah@ardtornish.co.uk as soon as possible to reserve a seat. Following the symposium, there will be a dinner at Ardtornish House for anybody who wishes to attend (there will be a charge of £45/head). Please notify Hannah Collins by the end of February if you would like to reserve a place for the dinner.

The distinguished panel of speakers will include Ross’s biographer Calum Maclean, Ardtornish historian and leading authority on Scottish furniture David Jones, Ross’s great-grandson Angus McCall, historian and author of Slaves and Highlanders David Alston, and architectural writer and author of Highland Retreats Mary Miers.

The Morvern peninsula is full of other interesting sites and places to explore, and the famous gardens at Ardtornish will be looking at their best in mid-May. On Sunday 18th, there will be optional guided visits to other Ross works on the estate and in the wider region, including his outstanding St Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Fort William.

Details of the programme, transport, and the possibility of getting a lift for those wishing to attend without a car will be available in due course to those who register an interest in attending. Journey time by car from Edinburgh/Glasgow to Ardtornish is approximately four hours, including a ferry crossing at Corran. There is a reasonable supply of B&Bs in the area.

The event will be hosted by the directors of Ardtornish Estate and, on behalf of the owners, the managing director and family member Hugh Raven.

www.ardtornish.co.uk

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