Dogs are not allowed in the house, however there are certain trails you can go with your dog. You are given a map at the beginning.

Probably at the sports ground near the swimming pool.

Mount Stuart was probably the most memorable thing on the island. Really quite spectacular and the tour was very informative. Definitely not to be missed. It's the jewel on the island It's a beautiful drive around the island too. On arrival Rothesay looks pretty from the boat but is a little run down on closer inspection but don't let that put you off a really beautiful peaceful as relaxing island. We stayed for a week and left feeling thoroughly recharged.

every 15 minutes or so. although a taxi is very reasonable. There is a Mini bus takes you within the grounds and is included in the admission fee.

Hi Farhat S We can offer you the group rate of £7.50PP which includes entry to the Gardens and free flow admission to the House. Please contact the office tel: 01700 503 877 and ask to speak to Kate or Euan who will be able to assist with your booking.

Hi Margaret, We visited Mount Stuart all too briefly last week. We were actually visiting a friend on Bute and didn't have a huge amount of time. Intrigued by the column, I went to have a look to see who it represented. I was none the wiser as to who it was, but recognised the Latin inscription (dum memor ipse mei, dum spiritus hos regit artus) as a quotation from Virgil's Aeneid - in my humble opinion the greatest work of poetry ever written. In Book 4, Aeneas, the Trojan prince who is destined to settle with the remnants of the Trojans in Italy, has fallen in love with the Carthaginian queen Dido. As far as she is concerned, they are husband and wife and will rule together in Carthage. Reminded that it is his destiny to sail off to found a new home for his people, Aeneas realises that he has to leave Dido even though he loves her. Having failed to find the right time to break the news to her, he clears off in the middle of the night. When she finds out that he has sailed away, Dido kills herself, but not before she has cursed Aeneas and all his descendants, demanding that the Carthaginians will always hate Aeneas' descendants (the Romans) and that an avenger will arise who will hound them in the future (i.e. Hannibal). The whole sentence from which this quote comes (Aeneid 4. lines 335-6) is nec me meminisse pigebit Elissae, dum memor ipse mei, dum spiritus hos regit artus - 'I will never regret remembering Elissa (an alternative title for Dido) as long as my memory itself remains and as long as my spirit rules these limbs'. The inscription on the column is from 'as long as my memory ,,, limbs'. It comes from part of the story when Aeneas is trying and failing to break the news gently to Dido, suggesting that he has to leave but that he will always remember her and be grateful for her kindness towards him and his people. Though it struck me that this was a strange choice of quotation given the original meaning, I assumed that it was a memorial to a dead spouse. The guidebook (which mistranslates the Latin) states that the column was dedicated to Augusta Dowager Princess of Wales by the 3rd Earl of Bute on her death in 1772. She had founded Kew Gardens and the 3rd Earl was her botanical advisor. He admitted that he was devoted to her and his opponents suggested that he was rather too close to her. She stated that she found both his botanical knowledge and company invaluable. The column was erected in its present position in the early 1870s and has recently been restored. I hope this helps. Paul.

Dear scottishmags Thank you for your enquiry. I can confirm that we have a French room guide available free of charge. Please contact the office tel: 01700 503877. Kind regards Louisa Davidson Visitor Experience Manager

The house closes after Sunday the 6th November but grounds and tea room still open do check the web site as sometimes it changes.