Grand Masters of Scotland - Onondaga and Oswego Masonic ...

for building developmental A number of accounts for Castle Mona also survive. Its exterior is of white free stone imported from the
Arran quarries. It is an imposing house, and must have been more so when set in the carefully planned grounds which originally
surrounded it. Its completion was celebrated with much conviviality on 4th August 1804, and the Duke ordered the insertion of an
account of the 'baptism' in the official records. The account concluded – 'George Steuart, the venerable architect, of whose skill and
taste Castle Mona will be a lasting monument, too infirm to partake of the pleasures of the table, made his appearance in the course
of the evening, to the great joy of his Grace and the rest of the company.'
Rix & Serjeant J.MM vi pp177/9
Contemporary Impressions
George Woods in 1811 (An account of the Present State) make brief mention of it:
About half a mile north of Douglas is Mona castle, a modern building of the present Duke, intended for his future residence. This is a
stately edifice, and has none to vie with it upon the island In the front is a noble ball-room equal in height to two stories of the other
parts of the mansion. It is at present bare of trees; and how far the young Plantations are likely to nourish seems very doubtful.
The building was not universally approved - Hannah Bullock writing in 1816 (History of the Isle of Man):
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