Added TheGlasgowStory: Orbiston House

TheGlasgowStory 

Skip Navigation / Jump to Content

Featured Images

Big Rachel
Big Rachel

Kelvin Hall Circus
Kelvin Hall Circus

Orbiston House

Glasgow University Library, Special Collections, Dougan Collection

*Open in New Window
Orbiston House

Orbiston House, photographed in 1870 by Thomas Annan.

Originally known as Douglas Park, the house was located on the banks of the South Calder Water. When the West Indies merchant Gilbert Douglas died in 1807 his widow inherited the estate and added neighbouring Orbiston, giving the latter name to the enlarged property and to the old house.

Cecilia Douglas lived until the ripe old age of 91. In 1861 she became the sole survivor of the subscribers to the Glasgow Tontine, and inherited the Tontine buildings on Trongate. When she died the following year, her extensive art collection was gifted to the city.

The estate was subsequently acquired by the coalmaster and ironmaster William Neilson (1810-1882).

Reference: Sp Coll Dougan Add. 73

Glasgow University Library, Special Collections

Keywords:
art collections, benefactors, coal masters, country houses, Douglas Park House, iron masters, mansions, Orbiston House, Tontine Building, Tontine Hotel, Tontine Society, tontines, West Indies merchants



Quick Search


Photo Album

You have 1 image in your photo album.

View Photo Album

Log-In (Optional)

username:
password:
Not a user? Register now for FREE!

Other Options