Airthrey Castle, Robert Adam Architect, Bridge of Allan, Scotland, Date

Airthrey Castle, Scotland

Scottish Castle : Bridge of Allan, Stirling, University of Stirling Campus, UK

Airthrey Castle, Stirling

Location: just east of Bridge of Allan, north east of Stirling.

Architect: Robert Adam

The Castle forms the administrative centre for the University of Stirling, lying at the centre of a 330 acre parkland campus.

Airthrey Castle

Airthrey was built in 1791 to a design by Robert Adam for the evangelist Robert Haldane (1764 – 1842), whose family had owned the estate since 1759.

The Castle was used as a Maternity Hospital during World War II, before being purchased by Stirling County Council and later passed to the University of Stirling. Airthrey Castle was badly damaged by a fire in July 2000.

Robert Adam (1728-92)

born Kirkcaldy

Buried in Westminster Abbey Robert Adam was not only the leading Scottish architect of the 18th century – and exponent of the Classical Georgian style – but remains Scotland’s most famous architect. He became architect to George III.

Adam regularly worked with his architect brothers, John, William and especially James.

Airthrey Castle architect : Robert Adam

Scottish Buildings by Robert Adam – Selection

Airthrey Castle, Stirlingshire

Archerfield House (interior), East Lothian

Ballochmyle House, Ayrshire

Culzean Castle, Ayrshire

Hopetoun House, South Queensferry

Trades Hall, Glasgow

Robert Adam was born in 1728 in Kircaldy but his family moved that year to Edinburgh. He attended Edinburgh High School from 1734 and joined Edinburgh University in 1743. Robert joined John as an architect apprentice to his father William Adam in 1746. The father of Robert Adam died in 1748 and was buried at Greyfriars Churchyard, Edinburgh. Robert then became John’s partner in the family business. The Adam brothers’ first major commission started in 1750 at Hopetoun House, west of Edinburgh.

In 1754 Robert Adam left for his grand tour of Europe; he moved to London in 1758 and in 1761 he was appointed ‘Architect of the King’s Works’, jointly with William Chambers, a role later taken on by his brother James.

In 1792 Robert Adam died at his home, 11 Albermarle Street, London and is buried at Westminster Abbey. John Adam also died in 1792 but in Edinburgh and in 1794 James also died at Albemarle Street. William Adam (younger) died in 1821.