Rhumhor has many features which make it both a unique and interesting loch-side house and one of these is definitely the spacious and comfortable family room. This was part of a very large extension added to the house in the 1920’s when Glasgow architect Magnus Duncan made a number of unusual improvements to the original Victorian villa.
The family room has a high vaulted ceiling and an impressive 500ft2 floor area. The architect also included a large circular bay containing French windows that opened out onto a tennis court flanked by hedges and an orchard beyond.
The Duncan family sold Rhumhor in the early thirties to the Palmer family. Their children grew up at Rhumhor and they have never forgotten the house and the times they spent as a family in this room.
At that time the room had a chimney and fireplace on the back wall and the family installed a free standing fire box. There was no electricity to Carrick Castle so the room was lit with paraffin lamps however when electricity was installed beautiful copper Arts and Crafts pendant lights were hung which are still in use today. During the war there was no petrol either so the tennis court outside the family room was cut using a manual push roller mower – no easy task!
After the Palmer family sold Rhumhor in the late1940’s the house had a number of different owners. At some point land belonging to the house was sold and the orchard became the garden for a new neighbouring house. The tennis court was not preserved and it became the side lawn. At one time the family room was partitioned off into a two bedroom apartment, complete with shower room, lounge and kitchen. The owners prior to us took down the partition walls and returned it to one big room, using it as a multipurpose living area. They added a large outside decking area.
When we purchased Rhumhor we felt we had the perfect opportunity to provide self catering guests visiting Loch Goil with a comfortable and unique room for family gatherings, fun and entertainment. We installed the 8ft slate bed pool table, comfortable sofas, a flat screen TV, Sky TV and entertainment equipment such as a Wii and Ipod dock. The new double glazed windows added in 2012 really enhance the views over Loch Goil and the gardens, as well as providing modern insulation with traditional style.
Initially the room had one radiator so we fitted two further central heating radiators and this year we added a living flame cast iron stove. It provides the room with independent on/off heating and a cosy glow that is the perfect finishing touch for a relaxing evening in.
We are delighted at the feedback from our guests who tell us how much they love the family room. They enjoy the chance to come together in one room, play games, celebrate birthdays, chat, watch films and play pool tournaments. At Christmas we love decorating the room with a large tree, knowing that everyone will be gathering round to unwrap presents.
The history of the room is clearly rooted in family entertainment and we look forward to it being the place on Loch Goil that families and friends gather together for many years to come.
