CRAIGNISH CASTLE: Audacious Commissions
Frederick R.T. Trench-Gascoigne and Laura Gwendolen were a celebrity 'power couple’ of the Edwardian era, cultivating artistic and professional gardening friendships. These commissions highlight the optimism of the Edwardian Gilded Age at Craignish Castle.
see page: Edwardian Gilded Age 'Portraits’
1904 Grand Portrait of Cynthia
Acquinted with Edward Hughes at Lotherton Hall in 1897.
Royal and Society Portraitist.
The Celtic Room c1907
Acquinted with Alexander Ritchie and Euphemia Ritchie on the Island of lona.
Renowned artists in the Celtic Revival movement.
Mackenzie Garden c1907
Acquinted with Osgood Mackenzie (Lairds of Gairloch)
Famous for creating the Inverewe Botanical Garden
CRAIGNISH CASTLE (head of Loch Beag, Ardfern, Argylishire)
Mary Isabella Gascoigne and Frederick Charles Trench married in 1850 and purchased the Craignish estate as a Scottish retreat; Parlington Hall at Aberford was the Gascoigne family residence.
F.R.T Trench-Gascoigne inherited Lotherton Hall and Craignish Castle in 1893 from his aunt Lady Elizabeth Ashtown; sister of Mary Isabella.
’Frederick had taken Gwendolen to see Craignish while they were engaged, probably c1890 and she loved the place at first sight.
Scotland was to have a strong influence on her for the rest of her life’
’The Edwardian Garden at Lotherton Hall’ (page 6) by Mette Eggen
Published in Leeds Art Fund Calendar Issue: No.104 1989.
Married in 1892
Colonel Frederick Richard Thomas Trench-Gascoigne (1851 – 1937)
Awarded the Distinguished Service Medal
Laura Gwendolen Douglas -nee Galton (1859-1949)
Awarded CBE in 1918 and appointed Dame of Justice: most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St.John of Jerusalem
V.A.D Hospital at Lotherton Hall (1914-1919)
Laura Gwendolen and Cynthia Gascoigne with VAD volunteer nurses ran the hospital for wounded soldiers; funded by the Gascoignes.