Robert Burns
1759 – 1796Scottish Poet – Also known as Rabbie Burns, the National Bard, he preserved the language of ordinary Scots at a time when English was becoming dominant.
Rokeby Manor is a late Georgian-early Victorian Manor House.
The house, originally known as Craigard, was built as part of a farm in the 1840s and has retained many original features, such as the old cowshed attached to the side of the house. James Rhodes and his family were the first tenants of Craigard, while he worked with Thomas Telford at the Caledonian Canal.
It was the hospitality and location that attracted a host of celebrities, including Hollywood’s Burt Lancaster during the filming of Local Hero and Stéphane Grappelli, a Frenchman often referred to as the grandfather of jazz violinists.
In the 1860s, Craigard was the house and office of Factor (Estate Manager) George Malcolm, who worked for Edward “Bear” Ellice, the Laird (Estate Owner) of Glengarry. He lived here for over 30 years and was viewed with a great deal of respect within the community. Tom Mackenzie was the last factor to occupy Craigard, working for the Ellice Estate as well. Craigard stayed within the Glengarry estate until the 1940s when it was sold to the government department developing the hydro schemes in the glen and surrounding area. It then became the Engineers' offices. Later in the 1960s, Craigard opened its doors as a guesthouse.
Rokeby Manor is a modest 19th-century house that was built with local materials by traditional handmade techniques. It is a glimpse into the artisanship and architecture that was typical of rural Highlands history.
We believe the weariest of hearts will be restored when you spend time at any of our Black Sheep Hotels.
Only once you witness its wonders will you come to believe in the magic of the Highlands of Scotland!
Sir Walter Scott, the renowned Scottish historical novelist, poet, playwright and historian, is the inspiration behind two of our hotels named “Rokeby Manor.” One hotel is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas and the other in the Highlands of Scotland.
Rokeby Manor is nestled in the quaint town of Mussoorie, India. It was built in 1840 by Captain G.N. Cauthy who was inspired by the Scottish novelist Sir Walter Scott’s poem Rokeby about the heroic battles fought near the original Rokeby Castle in England. He then named the mansion “Rokeby Manor”.
Rokeby Manor, in the picturesque village of Glengarry, Scotland is an early Victorian House that was also built in 1840, situated on the edge of the Highland village of Invergarry. Colonel Alexander Ranaldson MacDonell of Glengarry was the laird and clan chief of Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, and was known for his haughty and flamboyant personality. Sir Walter Scott, a close friend of his, was probably thinking of MacDonell when he created the character of the doomed Jacobite clan chieftain, Fergus Mc-Ivor, in his pioneering 1810 historical novel Waverley.
As the history of our hotels and Sir Walter Scott’s novels are intertwined, we pay homage to this literary figure by naming the hotels “Rokeby Manor”.
The Scottish Enlightenment in the 18th century was characterised by an outpouring of intellectual and scientific accomplishments by philosophers, inventors, artists and economists. At Black Sheep Hotels, we pay tribute to the achievements of these Great Scots, who even at their time were held in great esteem in America, Canada and Europe.
Scottish Poet – Also known as Rabbie Burns, the National Bard, he preserved the language of ordinary Scots at a time when English was becoming dominant.
Scottish Historical Novelist – A poet, novelist, ballad collector, and literary critic, Sir Walter Scott is most renowned as the founder of the historical fiction genre. His works involved tales of gallantry, romance, and chivalry, and he played a vital role in shaping the modern perception of Scotland.
Scottish-born American Industrialist – Carnegie led the dramatic growth of the American steel industry in the late 19th century. He founded the Carnegie Steel Company, which became part of US Steel. As one of the richest men of his time, he is remembered for funding libraries and educational institutions across the US, Scotland, and beyond, advocating that the wealthy should use their fortunes to advance society.
Scottish-American Presbyterian Minister – Witherspoon was a prominent advocate of Scottish common sense realism and served as president of what is now Princeton University. He was a key figure in shaping the character of the United States and was among the Scottish signatories of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
Scottish Jacobite Heroine – Flora MacDonald famously helped Charles Edward Stuart, known as the Young Pretender, escape following the failed Jacobite rebellion of 1745–46. A farmer's daughter from South Uist in the Hebrides, she became a legendary figure celebrated in ballads and folklore.
Scottish-born American Inventor – Renowned as the inventor of the first practical telephone, Bell also founded the American Telephone and Telegraph Company (AT&T) in 1885. Although his invention revolutionized communication, Bell considered it a distraction from his true passion for scientific research.
Scottish Economist – A Scottish philosopher and economist, best known as the author of Wealth Of Nations (1776), one of the most influential books ever written. He is widely cited as the father of modern economics.
Scottish Neoclassical Architect – A neoclassical architect, interior designer, and furniture designer, Robert Adam developed a distinctive style known as the ‘Adam Style’. This style influenced all aspects of interior decoration, including ceilings, walls, floors, furniture, silver, and ceramics, and left a lasting mark on British design.
Historian, Economist and Writer – David Hume was one of the most influential figures of the Scottish Enlightenment. He contributed significantly to philosophy, economics, and historical writing, advocating empirical observation and questioning established institutions, including the necessity of government.
Also known as Mary Stuart – She was regarded as the rightful queen of Scotland and the legitimate granddaughter of Henry VIII's sister, Margaret Tudor. Her life was a dramatic saga marked by political intrigue and betrayal. Engaged in a tense rivalry with her cousin, Queen Elizabeth I of England, Mary ultimately faced imprisonment and execution following conspiracies against Elizabeth—including ones allegedly involving her own son.
Scottish Painter – A prominent 18th-century British portraitist, Ramsay’s portraits, especially of women, reflect the influence of French Rococo with a characteristic lightness and elegance. He was appointed painter to George III in 1767.
