Comments on: The Pineapple, Dunmore, Falkirk.

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 14:45:59 +0000

In reply to Helen Felton. Hello Helen. I guess in an age before Ferraris and private islands in the Caribbean you had to show off in stone. But as you say, what a treat for us centuries later. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

By: Helen Felton

Helen Felton — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 14:09:55 +0000

I absolutely love trying to place historic buildings in context, particularly follies.Were their owners not just the ultimate show offs of their time?Thank God for them and their wit , style and need to impress -we can enjoy such astounding creativity centuries later.Thankyou,Lord Dunmore and all of your ilk!

By: Gwyn Headley

Gwyn Headley — Sun, 21 Nov 2021 12:42:03 +0000

In reply to Editor. Had to look it up …

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 14:53:32 +0000

In reply to Gwyn. Awestruck. Just the word. And well done for naming that volcano!

By: Gwyn

Gwyn — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 14:20:58 +0000

Such temptation! I first saw The Pineapple, awestruck, in 1972 when it was very much down on its luck and the grounds were a jungle. Then in 2010 we were lucky enough to stay in it, initially planned with some good American friends who would have been blown away by it (built in the 1760s? George Washington was a young man!) but this plan was stymied by Eyjafjallajökull, so Mike & Martha were replaced by James & Jill. What a transformation of a most remarkable building! And the Landmark Trust had kindly placed a copy of ‘Follies Grottoes & Garden Buildings’ on the bookshelf. Staying there, we got to explore the excellent ruins of Dunmore Park House. Vaut le voyage.

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 10:44:06 +0000

In reply to Gand. Thanks Gand. Watch this space!

By: Gand

Gand — Sat, 20 Nov 2021 10:35:09 +0000

A great start to your Scottish sojourn.
Look forward to the other Scottish treasures with great anticipation.

By: Editor

Editor — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 16:09:38 +0000

In reply to Julia Abel Smith. Hello Julia, yes of course. He was an Austrian called Count von Zinzendorff. His account of the pineapple is very brief, but so useful in dating the building. The reference to the summerhouse and lodging rooms is from 1774, when the garden was advertised to let.

By: Julia Abel Smith

Julia Abel Smith — Fri, 19 Nov 2021 15:00:18 +0000

This is so interesting, thank you. I used to think that the Pineapple was built above the loggia after Lord Dunmore’s return from America in late 1770s but recently I have thought that it must have been in 1760s because he had to take the job in America as he was so short of money. The Pineapple would have been enormously expensive to build – all that intricately carved stone. Can you tell us more about the visitor of 1768?