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Library staff are often asked about the history of the Airthrey estate, on which the University of Stirling is located. These pages attempt to outline the history of the estate. It is not a comprehensive account; more information can be found in the Library. Consult the bibliography for suggestions for further reading.

You can also browse the online listing of the Airthrey Estate Papers.

Airthrey Timeline

1146	'Atherai' mentioned in a  charter of King David I
1150-1184	'Athran' mentioned in an account of the divisions of Scotland.
1368-1369	Airthrey around 1370. Land ceases to be Crown property and passes into the hands of Sir John Herice, Keeper of Stirling Castle. It is unclear how long the land remained the property of the Herices.
1472	The estate becomes the property of the Graham-Montrose family.
1645	Airthrey is the scene of conflict between Royalists and Covenanters. The manor house is burned down by local Covenanter, the Marquis of Argyll, as an act of reprisal for the burning of Castle Campbell at Dollar by the Royalist Grahams.
1678	John Hope of Hopetoun buys the Airthrey estate, then in 1682 sells the western part of the estate to James Henderson, a local gentleman. This area becomes known as Westerton.
1706	Airthrey is sold to Ralph Dundas of Manour.
1747	His son, John Dundas of Manour rebuilds Airthrey House.
1759	Airthrey Estate is sold to Robert Haldane of Gleneagles.
1791	Great nephew of Robert Haldane, also called Robert Haldane, sets about improving the estate.
1798	The estate is bought by Sir Robert Abercromby, uncle of Mrs James Haldane and former Governor of Edinburgh Castle. He makes a number of changes to the estate and is instrumental in the development of Bridge of Allan as a spa town in the nineteenth century.
1828	On the death of Robert Abercromby, the estate passes into the hands of his nephew, Lord Abercromby.
1842	Queen Victoria visits Stirling and the surrounding area. She is driven through the Airthrey grounds.
1889	Donald Graham, CIE, a Glasgow merchant, buys the estate and adds an extension to the castle. He also plants conifers, as well as rhododendrons donated by plant collector, George Forrest. He allows the loch to be used by the Airthrey Castle Curling Club.
1901	Donald Graham dies. Mrs Graham and her Trustees remain the proprietors.
1939-1969	Airthrey Castle is used as a maternity hospital. Stirling County Council buys the estate in 1946.
1966	The University of Stirling becomes the proprietor of the estate. New buildings are erected.
1969	Airthrey Castle becomes the property of the University.

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Page last modified by the Arts Team on 24 September, 2007