The House of Nairne

The House of Nairne


Another Lost Gem From Our Heritage 


The House of Nairne at Loak, 9km N of Perth, was ‘one of the finest seats of the Scottish Nobility’. It was the last major design of Sir William Bruce ( the King’s architect who designed Holyrood Palace ) and was constructed between c1706 and 1710. The owner, Lord Nairne was a staunch Jacobite and lost the estate after the 1745 rebellion. It was purchased by his cousin James Murray, the 2nd Duke of Atholl, who had no use for another large house. This combined with a possible desire to remove a Jacobite rallying point, led to Murray contracting George Sandeman of Perth to demolish the house and sell everything. This roup was carried out 1759 – 1764 and the site was  returned  to farmland. 

 One of the most famous  occupants  of the " auld hoose " was Carolina Nairne , who penned  more than a few Scottish songs  which are still sung .Carolina Oliphant or Lady Nairne was a Scottish song  writer . Many of her songs such as " Will Ye No' Come Back Again ? " " Charlie is my Darling "  and " The Rowan Tree " remain popular  today despite the passing of the years . Carolina  usually  set her  words  to traditional Scottish folk melodies but sometimes  contributed  her own music . 




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