Progress at Mingary Castle

From the outside, those who remember Mingary Castle as it was before work started on it in 2013 might hardly see any difference except for the cleared area in front of it, which will shortly be a formal garden. From the outside it's still what it has been since it was built in the late 13th century, a very Scottish, very functional, almost brutish building.

The thousands of hours of man-time that have gone into it over the last two years aren't apparent until....

....one enters the courtyard and looks at the north range, which was a ruinous shell and is now transformed back to what it was in the 1720s, a fashionable Georgian residence. Just visible to left and right are the other two buildings in the courtyard which were almost reduced to ground level before work started, and are now completely rebuilt.

The quality of the workmanship is visible once one steps indoors. This is the first-floor sitting room in the main, North Range, with its oak panelling almost complete.

The high standard of workmanship is matched by the fittings which are being installed. This is one of the en suite bathrooms with its copper tub and Italian Carrara marble walls.

The project has reached the point where Chris and Holly Bull have been appointed managers of what will be a high-end letting property. The castle won't be ready for occupation for a few weeks, but they've been busy promoting it, for example by building a website, here.

You can follow progress at the site on the Mingary Castle blog - here.