The name "Cringletie" is believed to be derived from the name of the 13th Century landowner William de Crelenge. Alexander Murray of Black Barony purchased the lands in 1663 for his second eldest son and built a house in 1666.
The present house was designed and built by David Bryce in 1861 when the old house was pulled down.
David Bryce
Scotland has had and still has its fair share of very talented architects. David Bryce's traditionally inspired designs of Scottish Baronial mansions won him the fame that he still enjoys today. Architectural historian Alastair Disley describes a number of distinctive features to be found across his work. His houses typically include small protruding towers, both round and square, at the corners of the top floor. His crow-stepped gables come from centuries old Scottish tradition, but canted bays were his own design. In many designs, there is a large unifying tower, often over the entrance.
Many of Bryce's houses have been left to decline, but some have fortunately been preserved for future generations. Cringletie House belongs to the latter category. For more information about David Bryce please click here.
The present house was designed and built by David Bryce in 1861 when the old house was pulled down. Historic Scotland recognised the importance of preserving Cringletie House in 1971 when they gave the building together with some lodges the grade B listed status. In later years also the impressive walled garden and the dovecote were listed.
Cringletie since 1861
James Wolfe Murray built Cringletie House in 1861 to a design by David Bryce, after having taken the decision to demolish the earlier house dating from 1666 which had fallen into a state of disrepair. The site of the earlier house was on the lawn to the west of the present house.
James Wolfe Murray died in 1890 and was succeeded by his son, Lieutenant General Sir James Wolfe Murray. In 1904 Sir James' daughter Elizabeth married Sir George Sutherland. Sir George was an East India Merchant who owned and managed large tea estates in India as well as extensive business interests in the City of London. From 1911 - 1913 he occupied Cringletie jointly with his father-in-law and from 1914 - 1916 he held a three year lease of the estate. Sir James died in 1919 and was succeeded by his son, Captain George Wolfe Murray, who in 1921 leased Cringletie to his brother-in-law, Sir George Sutherland, for 20 years.
Sir George modernised the house by enlarging the drawing room, adding bedrooms and bathrooms in 1923. Fine furniture and paintings, purchased in Edinburgh and London were used to furnish the house. Sir George transformed Cringletie House from a Victorian house into a splendid country house mansion to meet his and his family's requirements.
Sir George died in 1937 and his son Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Sutherland continued to lease Cringletie from George Wolfe Murray until 1952, when he purchased the estate.
Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Sutherland and his wife Elizabeth were very much attached to Cringletie and carried out many improvements to the gardens. A Wild Garden plants was constructed along the banks of the stream by the dovecot. Thousands of daffodil bulbs were naturalised and many trees planted. Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Sutherland died in 1962 and Cringletie Estate was sold.
This part of the history: courtesy of Jim McKay.
From 1962 to 2003
From 1971 to 1997 Cringletie was owned by Stanley and Aileen Maguire, who developed the house into a very well known and highly acclaimed Country House Hotel. Aileen was the head chef and she was famous for her Sunday Lunch. Their head gardener Nick Cross developed the Walled Garden into a spectacular Vegetable and herbacious paradise, and the garden was well known throughout the Scottish Borders and was one of the only ten top gardens in Scotland according to the book Kitchen Gardens in Scotland (1995).
The Maguires retired in 1997 and the hotel was then acquired by the Wren group. Although initially the new owners embarked on a investment programme, this soon was abandoned and the house and the grounds were left to neglect. The great reputation that had been build up over 27 years by the Maguires declined within a few years.
2003
The present owners are Jacob and Johanna van Houdt and purchased the house in 2003. They embarked on very extensive renovations of the inside of the house, advised by Simpson & Browm architects in Edinburgh.
All infrastructure had to be totally renewed, including all cold and hot water, drainage, central heating and boilers. All rooms were connected with an up to date TV system, so that the 14 aerials that were sticking outside the bedroom windows could be taken down. All rooms were wired up with telephone and LAN connections, and also WiFi facilities are now provided. The fireplaces in the 6 public rooms were all renovated and can again be used freely.
Most importantly, a lift was provided in the house, which required major changes on floors, corridors, foundation and roof. The house is now fully disabled friendly, which is quite exceptional for historic buildings.
Also the grounds surrounding the house have been restored. Major improvements to the entrance drive have been implemented. A major improvement programme of the woodlands has been carried out including thinning and replanting of the woodlands. A network of woodland paths, now totalling over 3 km, has been constructed to permit all guests to enjoy the value of the countryside.
The Walled Garden has been redesigned and a new arbour was put in. One part of the Walled Garden is now again fully dedicated to the Kitchen, to enable chef to have fresh and equally importantly, special vegetables, for many months of the year. One part is used for soft fruit, in the protection of a fruit cage to protect against the birds. A third part of the garden is more horticultural and is host to our many species of birds. The fourth part of the Walled Garden is for the guest to sit down and/or to play. Outdoor chess, draughts and petanque.
All of the works in the grounds are being carried out to the high standards of horticultural and arboricultural excellence which were practised at from the 1920s to the 1960s. The restoration programme of work was managed and overseen by Mr Jim McKay, F I Hort, NDH, DHE(Hons) SDH, SHM, whose father James McKay was Head Gardener at Cringletie from 1944 to 1963.
