Duke of Montrose

Country seats

Previous seats of the Dukes of Montrose include Buchanan Auld House near Drymen, Stirlingshire, which burned down in 1852. James Graham, 4th Duke of Montrose oversaw the construction of Buchanan Castle on this site of Buchanan Auld House from 1852 to 1858, which remained as the seats of the Dukes of Montrose until 1932, when James Graham, 6th Duke of Montrose vacated the house owing to the burden of death duties levied on his estates following the death of the 5th Duke in 1925.^[4] After failing to find a buyer for the Castle, the house was converted into a hotel which opened in April 1933.^[5] The Duke again tried to sell the castle for £25,000 in 1949, but no buyer could be found.^[6]

Through the marriage of the 6th Duke to Lady Mary Hamilton, only child of William Douglas-Hamilton, 12th Duke of Hamilton in 1906, the family came into possession of Brodick Castle on the Isle of Arran and Easton Park, Suffolk in 1895. Easton Park served primarily as the residence of the Dowager Duchess of Hamilton during the early 20th century,^[7] and was later used as a hospital during the First World War. The estate surrounding the house was sold for £58,000 in 1919, and the house was sold in 1922 for £11,200.^[7]

Following the death of Mary, Dowager Duchess of Montrose in 1957, her daughter Lady Jean Fforde transferred Brodick Castle to the National Trust in 1958 in lieu of death duties on her mother's estate.^[8]

A smaller house, Auchmar House was constructed on the banks of Loch Lomond on the 6th Duke's estates in the early 1930s, which has served as the family seat of the Dukes of Montrose since Buchanan Castle was vacated as a private residence.^[9]

London residences

William Graham, 2nd Duke of Montrose lease No. 41 Upper Grosvenor Street from 1743 until his death in 1790.^[10] His son James Graham, 3rd Duke of Montrose leased No. 25 Grosvenor Square as his London house from 1786 until his death in 1836.^[11] After his death, his widow Caroline Graham, Duchess of Montrose lived at Montrose House, Petersham from 1837 until 1847; the existing house derives its name from her period of occupancy.^[12][13]

James Graham, 4th Duke of Montrose leased No. 45 Belgrave Square from c. 1839;^[14] following his death in 1874, his wife Caroline Graham, Dowager Duchess of Montrose continued to live at the house until she died in 1894.^[15][16]

Their son Douglas Graham, 5th Duke of Montrose leased No. 41 Eaton Square from c. 1879 until 1883.^[17][18][19] He later maintained his London residence at No. 27 Pont Street from c. 1895 until 1904.^[20][21]