The unattainable beauty of Scotland is truly awe inspiring first to the eyes, then to the heart and
spirit. As the hills rise up from the sea and the mossy green color covering the trees and the
stacked rock fences. It was easy to feel a sense of coming home a familiar feeling down deep in
your bones. The rush of the wind sweeping off the sea and the rain even it feels friendly
welcoming as it pours down. The subtle grey of the har the thick sea fog floating across the water and the rocks of the sea side. Being that close to the bay and hearing the sea at night with the St Blanes house facing out toward the sea and on the horizon an incredible vast country side.The weather is something the locals tend to start and end a conversation with because it’s not always as idealie as a new comer wants to imagine. The shelter that the beautiful three story home of the St Blane was a magnificent refuge. It’s clock tower and black top hat stick out in the distance from Kilchattan Bay amongst the row houses facing out to the beach and sea. The homes that the Scottish people have created to shield them from the strong sea breeze and rain are truly so welcoming and warm like a blanket hugging you around your shoulders. Then there are the windows of Scotland that truly touch your spirit when you think about all hose who have been looking out of the windows before you. Maybe they were once looking out the windows hoping to see their husband back from battle, they were looking to see their children playing in the courtyard, or a someone walking their dog along the seaside in the
morning. Those windows they are the looking glass through which Scotland is adored. The great artisans of the world with their stunning craftmanship and eye for stunning detail. From windows as simple as a square, arched, short, and long, they are tell a unique and interesting story of the deep history displaying inside the panes of glass of the windows of Scotland.
What is a travel experience but a journey with little side shoots along the way to whatever the
destination may be. Traveling abroad for the first time or from the United States to Scotland as
we like to sweetly say “across the pond”. Modern advancements of air taxis are so wonderful and can be even luxuries for most. There was a lot learn in the process of how to not make your
travel experience a worrisome journey. The many hours of flying and running to make
connecting flights, only packing what we can carry on showed me I think it might be fitting for
me to live out of a suitcase after all I don’t need stuff, I just want to experience new amazing
adventures that leave me with so much more wonder and excitement than any physical item
could fulfill me. That is other than an amazing raincoat and a cashmere scarf when it comes to
Scotland travel. When the long flights were finished and the copious amounts of airport coffee
were drank we finally arrived to Scotland. We flew into Glasgow this is important for
American’s it’s pronounced “glass-go”. Soon you will understand the Scottish like to write in the
way they talk it’s so fun to listen to and hear there subtle nuance. We then took a train to
Wemyss Bay and then the ferry to Kilchattan Bay and the historic St Blanes house.
When we arrived to Whymess Bay we stopped across from one of Europe’s most beloved and
old train stations it had a lovely Victorian style. There was a fish and chips shop and we had to
try our first round for the UK. As you can imagine it was some of the most amazing fish and
chips of my life! We love fish and chips in the US and I am telling you nothing was as fresh and
delicious you can tell the oils they fry it in are so clean. It was a whole fish and the chips or
potatoes were incredible they wrapped it up in paper for us and doused it in vinegar. It was
pipping hot and that didn’t stop me burning my tongue and not having taste buds for the next two days just to eat this incredible meal so worth it. We stood there on a beautiful stone bench that was a tribute to the World War II soldiers that lost their lives in battle from the town.
Looking out across the bay and waiting for the ferry to arrive. When the ship came in with a load
of cars they quickly unboarded and the next que of vehicles boarded the vessel. One being a
truck and trailer and a bull and his eyes glaring as he looked out of the slat in the trailer. We went to the front of the ferry to look out across the water and take in our first glance of the pristine country side of Scotland. Looking out onto the steep green and yellow hills covered in a grey fog and some towering high into the distance looking toward to Highlands. As we approached the coast of Rothsay you see a beautiful row of white and brick houses facing out to the sea. Then the Glenburn Hotel towering up along the coast nestled by trees and hill sides. You find yourself in the port packed with sailboats and a long history of marine life. The town is very story book with its Rothsay Castle ruins and moat quite literally in the middle of the small town. In the town you will find a wee pub and some amazing antique shops. Each road winding down the little town looks so cool and unique the simple things like just a road that people drive down daily are inspiring because they are just so different than the bleak black tar and cement block buildings that we see daily in the states. Their roads have been here so long they are even cobblestone in most places. It’s small and there isn’t a lot of room for even two cars to drive on at the same time. This means you must stop more and be moving at a slower pace. There was a sense of being like the snail not moving too fast or ever be rushing around. There was one day we decided to cross the street and quickly ran past to get to the other side. I never once saw another person do that or move that way across the town as if in a hurry to get somewhere even if they do have somewhere to be. That to me was a big realization for me. The ride to get to Kilkattan Bay is so picturesque you start winding down tiny roads that have ancient rock fences running all along the roadside. The hills pop up on each side with sheep from top to bottom. You see hay fields and cows,horses, and a lot of agriculture. It’s all met by the sea.
Mont Stewart House, neo-gothic mansion nestled on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, stands as a timeless sentinel overlooking the sea, its grandeur a reflection of both its storied past and the hands that have shaped it through generations. The exterior, a harmonious Gothic Revival influences, invites you in with its intricate carvings, each telling a story carved in stone. The chapel windows, the heart of the house, captivate with their delicate tracery, casting ethereal patterns of light across the sacred space, a silent dance of faith and artistry. Moving through the home, the windows adorned with zodiac signs and seasonal reflections come alive with crystals that catch the sun, projecting a kaleidoscope of nature’s beauty into the rooms. Every chamber whispers of the lives that have passed through, the walls bearing the marks of countless clans, each molding this space with care. The stained-glass windows, vibrant with the family’s crests, are a testament to the enduring legacy of the house- -a home where history lives on, embraced by the descendants who still call it their own. When you enter homes like this that are not considered a castle but in my eyes it’s just as magnificent. It really reminds you of the greatness of humans, our true potential and if that is still the potential we hold today? Something so grand so artistic with every inch of the home displaying a story or holding a rumored past with the design details. It makes me want to be that great, of course their families before them upheld a lot of this grandeur by being born noble and wealthy. It still isn’t just about the family who built the home but the craftsman who did the design work and brought the visions to life to live on for centuries to come. Sitting in one of the rooms of the house that looked to the sea over a large grassy lawn we enjoyed treats and tea. I tried the Scottish haggis for the first time and somewhat forgot its contents on purpose so that I would actually try it. The way they prepared it was delicious with caramelized onions and inside of a roll. Then we tried scones and jam with clotted cream that was divine. We looked at the art collection on the walls that was so old and some with traditional paintings of stories of the bible, one with a depiction of Orpheus and his fiddle playing to all the animals that surrounded him: cats, dogs, cows, and even a unicorn. Once again looking out of the windows in that room with the green and the grey landscape and the sea in the horizon the magnificence is truly amazing.
We made our way into the main house. You are greeted by the magnificent Marble Hall that has over twenty types of marble displayed. What really draws your eye up toward the sky’s is the Zodiac-inspired stained glass modeled after Greek mythology and astrology. Each zodiac sign is displayed in the stained glass windows and they are placed in a way that displays different seasons; Spring colored in deep emerald greens, Summer reds and oranges, and purples and blues represent Autumn and Winter. It is so incredible that the hall’s vaulted ceiling is also adored with the constellations and crystals that would shine through the light in the ceiling and help you to connect the constellations. The original Mount Stewart House tragically burned down in the early 18th century but was meticulously rebuilt by the 3rd Earl of Bute, who preserved the surviving chapel windows and integrated them into the new structure, blending the remnants of the old with his own visionary design. The chapel had a holy sound to it as I couldn’t help but sing Amazing Grace to the rafters and soak in the blessings of this sweet chapel that holds the prayers of many Scottish people. The acoustics of the chapel at Mount Stewart House were meticulously considered in its Gothic Revival design, creating an environment where sound resonates with a clarity and richness that enhances the spiritual experience. The vaulted ceiling, with its graceful arches and ribbed structure, plays a crucial role in this. It not only elevates the visual sense but also allows sound to travel upwards and outward, dispersing it evenly throughout the space. The stone walls, with their smooth surfaces and intricate carvings, contribute to a balanced reverberation, ensuring that voices and music fill the chapel with a warm, full-bodied sound without overwhelming echoes creating a sense of immersion and connection to the divine. The double-encased windows, while primarily designed for insulation and protection, also help control the acoustics by preventing external noise from penetrating the sacred space. This design choice ensures that the chapel remains a serene place, where every note and word can be heard clearly, fostering an atmosphere of contemplation and reverence. The overall acoustic design of the chapel reflects a deep understanding of both the aesthetic and sensory elements of worship, making it a place
where architecture and sound converge to elevate the spiritual experience. The chapel at Mont Stewart House is a masterpiece of Gothic Revival architecture, its design steeped in symbolic meaning and religious devotion. Constructed from locally quarried sandstone, the chapel’s exterior exudes a warm, earthy tone, softened by the passage of time. The stone, intricately carved with delicate tracery, frames the windows, which are a defining feature of the structure. These windows are double-encased, a technique that adds depth and insulation, while also protecting the intricate stained glass within. The stained glass itself is a vibrant tapestry of color, depicting religious scenes, saints, and the family’s heraldic symbols. Each window is crowned with a pointed arch, a hallmark of Gothic design, directing the eye upwards towards the heavens. Inside, the floor of the chapel is laid with a stunning mosaic of encaustic
tiles, each hand-crafted and arranged to form intricate geometric patterns. These patterns are not merely decorative; they are imbued with meaning, representing spiritual paths, the journey of life, and the connection between the earthly and the divine. The central aisle features a repeating motif of a labyrinth, symbolizing the soul’s journey towards enlightenment. The vaulted ceiling of the chapel, supported by slender, clustered columns, adds to the sense of height and lightness, drawing the eyes upward, as if encouraging contemplation and prayer. The overall effect of the architecture, with its harmonious blend of stone, glass, and light, creates a sacred space that invites reflection, steeped in the rich history and enduring faith of the family who built and continue to cherish it. Before his conversion to Catholicism, John Stuart, the 3rd Earl of Bute, was an Anglican, which was the established church of England and Scotland at the time. His shift to Catholicism later in life marked a significant departure from the religious tradition in
which he was raised. John Stuart, the 3rd Earl of Bute, was a significant figure in 18th-century
Britain, best known as the Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1762 to 1763. Born in 1713, he
was an influential advisor to King George III and played a key role in the politics of the time.
After his political career, Bute became increasingly interested in religion and spirituality,
eventually converting to Catholicism in the 1780s. His conversion was a profound personal
decision, reflecting his deepening faith and a move away from the public life that had once
defined him.
In Mont Stewart House, there is a powerful tapestry that tells the story of a traditional Scottish hunt. The scene is set in the wild Scottish Highlands, where a group of Scottish men, clad in their tartan kilts, have just returned from a successful hunt. The men, strong and determined, are shown carrying their prey. -majestic stags that have been brought down after a long, challenging pursuit The tapestry captures the moment just after the hunt, with the stags lying on the ground, their lifeless bodies a stark contrast to the proud hunters standing tall beside them. The men are gathered together, some holding their spears, others resting from the exhausting chase. Their faces show a mix of triumph and respect for the animals they have hunted, reflecting the deep connection between the Scots and the land they live on. Around them, the landscape is rugged and wild, with rolling hills, dense forests, and a sky that seems to stretch endlessly above. The colors in the tapestry are muted and earthy, with rich browns, deep greens, and touches of red in the men’s kilts. The detail is remarkable. You can see the texture of the stags’ fur, the pattern of the tartans, and even the expressions on the men’s faces This tapestry not only depicts a hunting scene but also tells a story of survival, tradition, and the bond between the Scottish people and their land. It’s a piece that has been admired for generations, serving as a reminder of the rugged beauty of Scotland and the timeless traditions that have shaped its history.