Kinnaird House
History of Kinnaird House, Larbert, Stirlingshire, Scotland.
Old House
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History of Kinnaird House & Robert Orr Family
Arial Kinnaird House


The present mansion house was built for Robert Orr a Chemical Merchant from Glasgow. It was constructed in the Scots-Jacobean style in 1895-97, the work of Glaswegian architect James Thomson (b1835 - d1905) of Baird &Thomson  88 Bath Street, Glasgow, Scotland and features a prominent port cochere beneath a battlemented tower in the centre of the entrance (west) front. The ground floor has a drawing room, library and lounge along the south facade, with an east-facing dining room and a billiard room in the northwest corner. The rooms feature fine fireplaces, wood panelling and plaster-work ceilings.
The house has many unique features, an imposing  entranceway, oaked panelled hall and a stone stairway of grey freestone, rises to a small landing and then, dividing in two , turns back on itsself to right and left to continue its accent to the large parlour, which is papered with heavy embossed maroon leather all in perfect condition and onto the bedrooms of the 1st floor and unusual Minstrel Gallery. Above each door on the main floor are inscriptions in English and Latin. Perhaps the inscription above the Library door "Learn to live, Live to learn" will be the inspiration to all.The woodwork inside the house is of beautiful, hand-carved and inlaid woods with an ornately carved ceiling. The house Stables and garden are all listed.

Robert Orr also owned the Lime Wharf Chemical Works in Falkirk. He died in 1906.

The Orr family maintained ownership until the late 1930's.

On the 28th April 1941 it  became the No2 war Office Home Guard School. The school was specifically set up to train the Home Guard from the whole of central Scotland including those from Glasgow and Edinburgh. However in late 1942 the school closed as it became a moble unit, training the whole of Scotland. "see book extracts"

 During the 2nd World War, it became the Headquarters of the Polish Army in Scotland. Since then it came under the control of the Secretary of State. It was used for various purposes, finally a store for the Hospital Emergency Supplies.

In 1977, John Findlay Russell bought the house and began the task of restoring the house and grounds to something of there former glory.