Ardencaple House (Ardincaple)

Location: Ardencaple House is an 18th C. farmhouse situated on an estate on the northern shoreline of the island of Seil, a mile (1.5 km.) west of Clachan Bridge and 7 miles (11 km.) southwest of Oban. The MacDougalls of Ardincaple contributed to the cost of building the Clachan Bridge in 1791. This arch bridge spans the narrows of Seil Sound and joins the mainland to the Isle of Seil and you must cross over it to reach Ardencaple House on the island.

Note: This Ardencaple House is not related to the Ardencaple Castle in the Parish of Rhu in Strathclyde.

Origin: The MacDougalls of Ardincaple built Ardencaple House in the 1780’s probably on the site of an earlier dwelling. The MacDougalls of Ardencaple occupied the northern end of the Isle of Seil from the early 1500s and are descended from the MacDougalls of Raera. This Ardencaple cadet family of clan MacDougall is associated with the Island of Seil where their seat was once at Ardfad Castle to the east of Ardencaple House. They may descend from Coll the second son of John MacDougall, the 4th of Raera, and his wife Margaret Campbell.  Alternatively the MacDougalls of Ardencaple may descend from Hugh the second son of Somerled MacDougall, the 5th of Raera. One story is that Hugh’s mother bought Ardencaple from a MacLean so that her son might have an inheritance. During the 1751 evaluation of the proprietors of Argyllshire, the Ardencaple estate was held by John MacDougall of Ardencaple and was evaluated for tax purposes at 25 pounds 5 shillings and 8 pence.  Ardencaple House is now a private home belonging to another family.  

Description: The 18th C. Ardencaple House on the island of Seil, looking SE over the Isle of Mull, is a traditional white 2 storey and garret farmhouse that may incorporate earlier work. The house is oblong and constructed around a central passageway and a turnpike stair, enclosed in a semicircular bay that extends from the rear of the house. The original SW wing is 1 ½ storeys, the gabled roof is slated, and the exterior walls are harled. In the 1972 Mrs. Frances Shand Kydd set up house here with her second husband. She was the mother of Princes Diana. Mrs. Shand Kydd died in 2004 and Ardencaple House has since changed hands.

It remains a private estate dwelling.                                         

Drawing by Walter M. Macdougall

 

References:

1 – Technical information has been provided by the Canmore Database site of Historic Environment Scotland and their Ardencaple sites may be visited at https://canmore.org.uk/site/141140/seil-ardencaple-house

2 – See also the Gazetteer for Scotland site Ardencaple at: http://www.scottish-places.info/towns/townfirst4972.html

3 – Journeying in MacDougall Country by Walter M. Macdougall, Past President of the Clan MacDougall Society of North America on pages xv, 84, 85, 160, 163, 164, 203, and 213 contains descriptions and notes on this site. This excellent book is available from Lulu.com with profits going to the Dunollie Preservation Fund from its book sales at http://www.lulu.com/shop/walter-macdougall/journeying-in-macdougall-country/paperback/product-2242050.html

4 – See also the Historic Environment Scotland web page Ardincaple House at: http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB12228