St Peters-Section 12 Appendices - Historic Scotland

2nd Edition Ordnance Survey, 1896-1900
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12.1.10
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12. APPENDICES
CONSERVATION ASSESSMENT - VOLUME 1: ST PETER’S SEMINARY FEBRUARY 2008 268 Final Issue
In John Thompson’s map, 1820 Kilmahew is referred to as “Kilmahu
Cas. Ruins”. In 1845 the Statistical Account refers to a “mansionhouse”
at Kilmahew, “now abandoned”. Once again it is tempting to
suggest that the latter might be a reference to the settlement visible in
the Roy map.
In 1848 James Burns acquired Bloomhill, which lies due south of
Kilmahew. He was drawn to the area for his wife’s personal reasons.
The Statistical Account states that the recently built Bloomhill House
was “perhaps the most beautiful villa on the Clyde”. Over the next
decade or so, Burns gradually bought up what is believed to be
original estate of Kilmahew in no less than eight portions. Burns
had made his money in steam navigation and in conjunction with his
brother George, was one of the founders of the Cunard10 shipping line,
a company of international repute. However, in 1860 Burns lost his
wife and from that date till the time of his death he lived with his only
son, Mr John William Burns.
Between 1865-1868 Burn’s son, John William Burns commissioned
John Burnet to design and build a new mansion house at Kilmahew.
It was thought to be a fine example of the Scots Baronial style at a
time it was merging with the Jacobean type. It is not considered to be
Burnet’s best11 .
The mansion house is first shown on the 2nd Edition OS map, 1896-
1900 surrounded by a broad terrace and formal garden. The house
was sited in a sheltered situation to the east of Kilmahew burn. The
chief entrance was from the east where a turning circle opened on to
sloping parkland further east. Built from greenish grey stone hewn
from a local quarry, its peaked gables and lofty turrets, with panoramic
views from the upper storeys, could be seen from the Clyde rising
above the wooded glens. The house had three reception rooms, 21
bedrooms and dressing rooms, a billiard room and a library, famed for
a fine collection of family portraits and rare books.
After his father’s death Burns began an extensive scheme of
improvements including road building, fencing and draining. He also
continued to add land to the estate, including the land that surrounded
the old chapel. Boundaries were removed and the surrounding
farmland was planted as parkland. There were two lodges, West
Lodge and South Lodge, a stable complex with coach house and
a large kitchen garden with glasshouses, bothies etc. The main