Airthrey Castle, Robert Adam Architect, Scotland

Scottish Castle - 1791: Bridge of Allan, Stirling, University of Stirling Campus - by Robert Adam for Robert Haldane

Airthrey Castle, UK




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

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

Airthrey Castle: Description
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 - 1792)
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:-
Airthrey Castle, Stirlingshire
Archerfield House (interior), East Lothian
Ballochmyle House, Ayrshire
Culzean Castle, Ayrs.
Dumfries House
Fort George, Inverness.
Gifford, East Lothian - Yester House*
Gosford House, East Lothian
Hopetoun House, South Queensferry
Jerviston, Lanarkshire
Mavisbank, Berwicks. with Sir John Clerk
Mellerstain, Berwicks. with William Adam
Newliston, West Lothian
No.8 Queen St, Edinburgh
Oxenford, Midlothian
Register House, Princes St, Edinburgh
Sunnyside, Midlothian
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.

Edinburgh Castle

Scottish Architects of the past
Scottish Castles
Scottish Housing




Glasgow Buildings : back to index

Airthrey Castle - page: adrian welch / isabelle lomholt