I visited the Hermitage in Dunkeld yesterday. Originally this was a landscaped garden designed for the Duke of Atholl. Ossian’s Hall is a folly built in 1758 as a viewing point for the Falls of Braan. I have visited the Hall many times of the years to enjoy the beautiful view.
The National Trust for Scotland has renovated the Hall and I could not believe how awful it is now painted a crimson red with gaudy mural tiles which are already hanging off the walls. I spoke to other visitors to the Hall and they all agreed that it looked terrible. What do you think?
I must agree with your statement regarding what they have done to the hall. I have booked it for my wedding ceremony (before the rennovatoins took place) and I almost cried when I saw what they have done. The paint is a hideous colour and looks like it was done in a hurry as the red is smudged all over the cream panels on the walls. What a mess, I feel like asking if I could spend a week repainting it by myself, as I could probably do a better job (couldn’t make it any worse!!).
Ashley. it is enough to make you want to cry to see what the NTS has done to the Hall. I think most people could have done a much better job in chosing the colour and the application of the paint. Have you written to the NTS to complain? I think that they need some negative publicity to force them to redo the Hall is a more sympathetic style. The light blue paint that was there before, albeit peeling off, was much better. I am thinking of going up to the Hermitage some day to do an opinion poll and/of get visiting NTS members to sign a petition.
Having a personal family connection with this project, if you took the time to study the art on the walls perhaps you would realise how beautiful it is and how wonderfully talented the artist is who did the work. I was up there at the weekend carrying out maintenance checks and there is nothing hanging off the walls anymore. I’m sorry if you are disappointed in what has been done, but I like to think it provides an intriguing insight into some of Scotland’s artistic talent.
Suzanne, art is always an objective opinion. I did spend time looking at the art on the walls. The maim thing I disliked about it was the silvery tiles on which the art was painted., to me,the tiles looked plasticy and cheap which coupled with the crimson walls just made the Hall look awful and detracted from the beautiful view outside as supposed to enhancing the Hall as a whole experience.
I would like to retract my previous comment as it was made without knowing the full facts. The hall was a pigs ear and a mess, but that was because it wasn’t finished. The gaudy red was actually the undercoat and you should perhaps revisit the site to see it in its now finished state. The art work on the walls is also very interesting as it has been done by an up and coming Scottish artist who has created the images out of everyday objects which you don’t see unless you examine the pictures carefully, which I think is really clever and interesting.
I would also like to counter Karen’s objection in that there is a reason the paint is red and the tiles are mirrored. It’s all to do with the history of the site. The red walls and the waterfall are meant to reflect off of the mirrored tiles to create a swirling effect of fire and water to disorientate the viewer as they enter the room. The effect is meant to be magnified by initially being kept in the darkened quiet entrance room, with the image of ossian on the door bearing down on you, which is then meant to be swept aside by a hidden lever in the wall, plunging you into the roaring brightly coloured main chamber. Of course this effect is not as potent as it used to be back in the days before tv, but you can still get the idea of what it must have been like for the people way back when.
Ashley, I am glad to hear that you are happy with the completed renovation since your wedding will be there. I will try to visit the Hall. I know that the Hall was originally mirrored but I thought that was with plain mirrors to reflect the falls.
I’ve been visiting the Hermitage since I was a child and last year I took my boyfriend to Ossian’s Hall for the first time and he could see why it was my favourite place to visit in Scotland; the main reason that I loved it was because the building was simple and elegant and seemed untouched by the ages; standing on the balcony you felt as though you were in touch with history, you were standing in the same spot and seeing the same views as generations before had.
Returning yesterday (31/07/07) I was absolutely devastated to see what NTS had done to the Hall. The modernity of the glass doors have removed all feeling of history from the Hall, and as for the decoration, I spent a long time studying the murals desperately trying to understand and appreciate them to restore my love for the Hall but could not get past how intrusive and tacky they were! For me and I’m sure many others, my imagination and the spectacular views of the waterfall alone were enough to make Ossian’s Hall magical, now it feels somewhat ‘Disneyfied’, and the magic is gone. The front door is forbidding whereas the once open front door enticed you to investigate this mysterious building.
The walls used to be mirrored long ago, with the intended effect that it appeared that the falls surrounded the viewer, however the mirrored murals do not come near to making such an effect, and the gaudy colour scheme does not create an impression of swirling fire, it simply looks cheap and nasty.
As if having my favourite childhood memories ruined was not devastating enough, upon asking why my boyfriend looked so crestfallen, he replied that Ossian’s Hall was the spot he intended to propose to me, and not it had been ruined for me he’d have to find somewhere else.
The National trust could not leave a good thing alone, and they have spoiled Ossian’s Hall for the majority of visitors. I for one would be very interested in signing Karen’s petition for the tasteful restoration of the Hall.
Laura, I am really sorry to hear that what should have been such special occasion for you was totally marred by this awful renovation. I agree that it is a travesty but you can see from the comments above that there are varying opinions. Ossian’s Hall for me is now a gaudy, tacky and ghastly place totally at odds with the beautiful scenery in which is located. It should be a fitting back drop to that beauty not a garish, jarring distraction! I’ve visited so many National Trust properties and all the others have been upkept in an appropriate manner. I’m not dead set against modern influences as long as they are congruent.
I think you should all feel lucky to have been able to gain access to it and seen the views. I took my daughter for the first time today – telling her all the way there how wonderful I had found it as a child, only to find it closed!
Jane, are you sure it was closed? The new door that has been put up does make it look as though you can’t get in. Or was there a notice saying why it was closed, if so, amazing that the National Trust would close it on a Saturday in August.
Glad to see my point has been proven, though I’m sorry you had to miss out on the beautiful views afforded by the balcony. My boyfriend and I struggled with the door for a few minutes ourselves, had we not seen others on the balcony then we too would have assumed it to be closed. If memory serves it’s either stiff to push or slides to the right? Either way, it’s very off putting as it makes you feel as though you are trespassing.
Yes,Laura, after I’d come out of the Hall, I saw some rather bewildered ladies standing outside assuming that the Hall was closed until I assured them that I;d be in. I can’t remember exactly why the door is hard to open.
Maybe it was open, but, we saw someone try it and not get in so, we didn’t try. I haven’t had a reply from the National Trust yet to say if it was open or not, but will let you know if I do!
I was considering getting married at the Hall too but that decision was based on pics of the Hall before it was renovated. Funny how after all this time and effort the NTS haven’t publicised the changes very well (this site is the only place i can find post-renovation pic).
I would love to contact Ashley and see how her wedding went or just anyone who has got married there since the changes.
Also is anyone has more detailed pics of the Hall since the red paint I’d be soooo grateful! email shescrafty.co.uk at gmail.
MiisB, interesting to hear that the National Trust have not publicised their makeover. I think it would have been a wonderful wedding location before the changes at Ossian’s Hall.
I haven’t been back at the Hall since I took the photos.
I’m sure they must have but after extensive searches online I can find no pics of the interior at all.
I think I may go up soon and have a look myself but am saddened that I missed my chance to see it in its unspoilt state. From seeing so many pics of how it used to be and seeing the pics on this blog I have no idea why anyone would think teh paint/murals would be an enhancement but will wait and see in real life i guess.
MissB I agree that you should see it for yourself but I’m pretty sure you won’t be impressed with the makeover in the flesh, in fact it may be worse than you imagine from the photo. Let me know what you think if you do make it to the Hermitage.
Hi, I got married at the Hermitage in October last year and it was SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! It was the most amazing experience of my life and the location just made it so so special. The hall was wonderful and created an intimate yet jaw dropping location. Everyone who attended was blown away by it.
You can see the pictures for yourself at http://www.gavinandersonphotography.com – just look for Ashley and Marks pics in the 2007 wedding gallery pics.
Ashely I looked at you wedding photos and they are beautiful because the focus is on you and your husband and the falls and Autumn colours of the trees. You hardly notice the murals because your guests cover a lot of them where they are sitting or standing.
I agree it is a spectacular location precisely because of the natural beauty and that’s what comes over in the photos. In my opinion the gaudy mural detract from that natural beauty.
Well, I went to have a look for myself at the weekend and have to say the makeover and the terrible service by the National Trust have made me decide not to have my wedding there. The use of the red colour made the room so dark and oppressive that it seemed hard to imagine it feeling light and bright and with a March wedding it was already looking difficult. If we were to get married at that time of year we envisage most photographs would be inside so the room was important.
My parents also agreed the hall was nowhere near as beautiful as it used to be.
To be honest, it still had a place in my heart and would have considered it if the price had been right but the final straw has been the complete lack of communication from the NTS. I have left numerous messages, emailed and even been given alternative email addresses and number but not one person has contacted me.
I was sure I posted a reply here but can’t see it so apologies if this appears twice.
I decided the only way to know for sure was to go see the hall for myself and have to say I agree with Karen. The hall is still a magical place in terms of it’s surroundings but the renovation has detracted from it’s former beauty.
The time of day when combined with the dark walls made it seem so dark and oppresive and given we have decided on a March wedding we needed a feeling of lightness inside as most photos would be taken there.
I did still however have a place in my heart for the Hall and if it had been in budget would probably have considered it but I’ll never know thanks to the poor service from NTS.
Despite numerous emails and calls to various numbers and addresses I have been provided with, not one person has contacted me and as such I wouldn’t want to hand over the sucess of my wedding to people with such terrible standards of communication (non existent).
Miss B, I’m glad that you went to see the makeover for yourself because as they say “beauty is in the eye of the beholder”.
What shocking lack of customer service by the National Trust not getting back in touch with you and trying to maximise the revenue they can generate from their properties. I thought that not receiving a reply from then after my email telling them what I thought of their ghastly makeover was just ignoring negative comments but obviously they ignore all communications.
I do hope that you find a suitable alternative wedding venue.
I just love this art that you have posted. I like the first pic just as much as the second. I am a huge fan of any and all art and craft blogs, especially art blogs. Thanks for taking the time to post it!
Stephanie thanks for your comment of course with art everyone has their own opinion.
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I took my young family to the hermitage last Monday, as beautiful as ever, and while I agree that there was no neccessity to change what was already there sadly in this day and age if something is to be preserved for others to still enjoy then changes have to be implicated. From what ive seen it has been done to prevent vandalism and preservation and they have done such by depicting the original story of Ossian on the walls. It is a shame that it had to have changed but even nowadays you couldn’t leave your granny outside a shop without her being stolen or drawn on!!! I have to say that some people still do not respect the place and never mind the art on the walls, the litter that has been left lying around over shadowed any grumbles about the newly decorated hall!!!!
Just to update you all! I was there 2 weeks ago just after my man proposed and i wanted to see it as i always planned on getting married there.
The colour has faded alot to a reddy/maroon now and looks ALOT better!
The pictures are still there though but i will be getting married there if all goes well!
Charlene – Thanks for the update. I hope that you have a wonderful wedding in such a beautiful location.
I am from the area and remember the hall as a magical building. As a child I always thought fairies lived in it! From the pictures I have seen it looks awful. Sorry NTS, but you appear to messed up. Having to explaing the ‘effects’ on the visitor or swirling water and fire is completely lost on me. Another tragic art attack.
Hi a want to get married at ossian but just not sure where to start could anybody that has been lucky enough to get married there give me some info numbers etc on how to go about it thanks so much
i have been emailing and calling foor months on end and no one is bothering to get back to me at all. i want to get married here too but it looks like the nts dont want us to. if anyone has any luck getting through can you forward me the details so i can at least try again myself!!
Louise – this is crazy, I’ve read recently that the National Trust for Scotland is having serious financial problems and there you are trying to book something with them and you can’t them to reply to you.