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Skibo Castle
is located to the west of Dornoch in the Highland county of
Sutherland, Scotland overlooking the Dornoch Firth. Although
largely of the 19th century, and early 20th century, when it was
the home of industrialist Andrew Carnegie, its origins go back
much earlier.
The first record of Skibo Castle is a charter from 1211. From
its early history, the castle was a residence of the Bishops of
Caithness. Skibo Castle remained the residence of subsequent
bishops until 1545, when the estate was, as a tactical measure
by the church, given to John Gray in order to reinforce its
alliance with a powerful family as the threat of a Protestant
uprising spread towards the north.
In 1745, Robert Gray surrendered the estate. It was later bought
by a relative who built a modern house before 1760. Its
ownership changed frequently until 1872, when it was bought by
Evan Charles Sutherland-Walker, who extended the house and
improved the grounds. However, the condition of the building had
declined by 1897, when wealthy industrialist Andrew Carnegie
took a one-year lease, with an option to buy. In 1898 he
exercised that option for £85,000. However its condition had
declined so much by this time that a further £2 million was
spent on improvements, including an increase in area from 16,000
square feet to over 60,000 square feet, plus the creation of
Loch Ospisdale, an indoor swimming pavilion and a 9-hole golf
course.
Skibo stayed with the Carnegie family until 1982. It was later
purchased by businessman Peter de Savary and used as the
foundation of a private members club, The Carnegie Club.
Establishment of the club required restoration of the castle to
recreate the luxury of an Edwardian sporting estate. Similar
renovation was undertaken on the many lodges located amongst the
castle grounds to provide additional accommodation for club
members. De Savary sold the club to Ellis Short in 2003, for £23
million. Following the Shorts' purchase of the club, some £20
million has been invested in the refurbishment and restoration
of the 8,000 acre estate. Aware of the historic significance,
the Club has undertaken a program of conservation over the last
decade with the aim of preserving as much as possible of the
building whilst improving the existing facilities on the estate.
This includes the redevelopment of the golf course, a
sympathetic restoration of Carnegie's magnificent swimming pool,
ongoing restoration of the Mackenzie and Moncur glasshouses and
the refurbishment of all bedrooms in the castle and lodges.
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