Cayzers at home

Ralston

Sir Charles Cayzer bought Ralston House in 1890 and then proceeded, with the help of the architectural firm, J. & J. Hutchinson, to transform it from a country house into what the periodical press described as a “palatial” residence.  

Amongst other things he installed electric lighting and a well-stocked library as well as creating a winter garden and an aviary.   More than one hundred craftsmen carried out the work and on its completion Sir Charles gave them a sumptuous supper at a hotel in Glasgow.

  • Colour photograph of album of prints of the interior of Ralston
    Cover of the album of prints of the interior of Ralston
  • Black and white photograph of Ralston facing east
    Ralston facing East
  • Black and white photograph of the garden at Ralston
    Ralston: Garden
  • Black and white photograph of the Hall at Ralston
    Interior of Ralston: Hall
  • Black and white photograph of the Dining Room at Ralston
    Interior of Ralston: Dining Room
  • Black and white photograph of the Library at Ralston
    Interior of Ralston: Library

Gartmore

By the later 1890s Ralston was being threatened by the creeping suburbs of Glasgow so, reluctantly, Sir Charles searched for a new family home.  His choice fell upon Gartmore, near Aberfoyle in Perthshire, which he bought from the colourful, but by now penniless,  Robert Bontine Cunnighame Graham to whose family it had belonged for centuries.  

Accustomed to the comforts of modern living, Sir Charles found it necessary to make radical changes to the attractive late 17th century house:  in fact he gutted it, employing as his architect, David Barclay, a pupil of Charles Rennie-Macintosh.  

In addition, he made considerable improvements to both the farms and village houses which formed part of the estate, as well as renovating Gartmore church. “The village, formerly so neglected, now looks like a thriving hamlet…” wrote a former resident. These words reflected the gratitude of many.  Gartmore was to become Sir Charles’s favourite home.

  • Black and white aerial photograph of Gartmore
    Gartmore from above.
  • Black and white photograph of the Bridge of Forth on the Gartmore Estate
    “A peaceful corner of the 10,000 acre estate…” (p.35 ‘Uncharted Waters’, Sinclair 2010)
  • Black and white photograph of Sir Charles and Lady Cayzer, with driver, in their car at Gartmore . Two staff stood in entrance to house.
    Sir Charles and Lady Cayzer at Gartmore.

From the archive: a selection of family photographs.

  • Black and white studio portrait of Sir Charles W Cayzer
    Sir Charles W Cayzer, studio photograph (undated)
  • Black and white photograph of Charles Cayzer with two friends who shared a 'chummery' with him in Bombay in 1867
    Charles Cayzer (right) with two friends who shared a ‘chummery’ with him in Bombay, 1867.
  • Black and white photograph of the wedding party of Charles Cayzer and Agnes Elizabeth Trickey following ceremony at St John's Church, Colaba, Bombay on 16th May 1868
    The wedding party of Charles Cayzer and his eighteen-year old bride, Agnes Elizabeth Trickey, after the ceremony in St. John’s Church, Colaba, Bombay, on 16th May, 1868.
  • Black and white photograph of Agnes Cayzer with her three eldest children, Charles, Mamie and Jack in 1873
    Agnes Cayzer, with her three eldest children in 1873. From left to right: Charles, Mamie and Jack.
  • Black and white studio portrait of Lady Cayzer in 1906
    A portrait of Lady Cayzer, 1906
  • Black and white photograph of Lieutentant Commander August Cayzer when recalled to the Royal Navy in 1914
    Lieut.-Commander August Cayzer was recalled to the Royal Navy in 1914.