Rosehall, Sutherland, Scotland

Rosehall, was an isolated hunting lodge in Sutherland, Scotland, that either belonged or was leased by Henry St.John, 4th Viscount Bolingbroke (1786-1851), during the first half of the 19th century. Its attraction was game, which was to be had in abundance.

In terms of St.John family history, it is more closely associated with Henry's cousin Charles St.John (1809-1856)* to whom he lent the property following Charles's departure from the Treasury in 1833.

Rosehall was purchased in 1806 by Richard Dunning 2nd Lord Ashburton (1782-1823). Following a fire in 1817 he had it replaced with a classical house, creating a canal that linked it to the Oykel River in order to transport building materials. No roads lead to Rosehall and the area could only be approached by horse or boat meaning supplies for the occupants of the small estate also had to be brought up river.

Charles clearly enjoyed the seclusion. At Rosehall he devoted himself to the study of animals and birds. A year later he married and he dedicated the rest of his life to writing and studying wildlife. Copies of his books are part of Lydiard House collection and a charcoal portrait of him is periodically displayed.

The interiors of Rosehall, are its chief claim to fame. They were created by the internationally renowned fashion designer Coco Chanel during a brief interval in the 1920s when the mansion was owned by her lover, Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Duke of Westminster. Uninhabited for years, Rosehall is in an increasingly dilapidated state and despite various proposals to develop it as a hotel, it remains on Scotland's Register of Buildings at Risk.

*Charles was the fourth son of General the Hon. Frederick St.John second son to Frederick 2^nd Viscount Bolingbroke. His mother was Lady Arabella daughter of William 6^th Baron of Craven.