Dundonnell House

Dundonnell House is a tall, two-storey and attic house dated 1767, with a rear wing added in the early 19th century and further raised and extended around 1960. The main, south-east facing elevation has five bays with a central doorway; a doorway is also present on the north-east elevation, with three ground floor and four first floor windows. Five piended dormers break through the roofline on the south-east elevation, and three on the north-east. All surfaces are harled with ashlar margins to the doorways. The central doorway on the south-east front features chamfered jambs and a datestone above. Twelve-pane glazing is present throughout. Corniced end and ridge stacks support a slate roof.

The interior was remodelled around 1816, with a wide staircase inserted. Simple but good details include an acanthus cornice in the main rooms, reeded door architraves and beaded shutters. Peat-grates are set within engaged column surrounds, and there are corniced 19th-century chimney pieces.

The estate of Dundonnell was inherited in 1816 by Kenneth Mackenzie, who made improvements including the construction of a walled garden, alterations to the house, and the building of stone boundary walls. Mackenzie died young and the estate was sold to settle his debts. The 1767 datestone features a Mackenzie stag. A drystone wall separates the front garden from the road, with traditional sheep fencing running through raised and pierced coping slabs.

The building is considered to be of group value due to its status as an unusually complete example of a laird’s house in the west of the Highlands, and it holds considerable local historical interest.