Inventory and valuation of household furniture and other effects at 'The Whim', Lamancha, Peebles, made for fire insurance purposes, 1911

The ts volume is entitled Inventory and Valuation of Household Furniture and other Effects within 'The Whim', Lamancha, made for Fire Insurance Purposes, 5th September 1911. It was drawn up and signed [p.194] by Alexander Dowell, Edinburgh, a Licensed Appraiser, for John Maitland Thomson.

Bound volume, 195pp, with index. Inventory and valuation of: Attic, Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Closets, Corridor, Dining Room, Drawing Room, Dressing Rooms, Entrance Hall, Kitchen, Landings, Lamp Room, Lavatories, Linen, Pantries, Passages, Presses, Scullery, Servants' hall, and Staircases. The volume shows a total valuation of: £2426/13/shillings.

Originally called Blair Bog, the Whim estate was purchased circa 1730 by Archibald, Earl of Islay, afterwards the 3rd Duke of Argyll. The dwelling house on the estate, Whim Hall, was erected 1731-34. It is set amidst 20 acres of striking country woodland in the Scottish Borders. Both William Adam and John Adam had influenced the building operations. James Montgomery (1721-1803) purchased The Whim from the 4th Duke of Argyll in 1763. In 1775 Montgomery he was created Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer and 1st Baron Stanhope.

From the turn of the 19th century the house was in the possession of John Maitland Thomson (1847-1923), Curator of Historical Records, and then Deputy Keeper of the Records in Edinburgh. Later owners of Whim House were the Hannah family. In another guise it was Whim House Hotel, and today it is Whim Hall Nursing Home.

Access should be unrestricted but please check in advance of any consultation.

Catalogued by Graeme D. Eddie, 16 May 2016.