Around 1780 Edinburgh lawyer John Tait purchased a small
mansion and estate at Easter Tillicoultry which became the Taits’
summer residence.
In 1787 Robert Burns stayed at Harviestoun
and wrote the poem "The Banks of the Devon".
Tait died 1800 and was buried at the newly created Tait’s Tomb.
Harviestoun went to his son Crauford who spent a lot of money on agricultural
and other improvements.
He replaced farm cottages with a magnificent steading and stable block
and a walled garden, the latter with water features and a grotto, based
on Milton’s Paradise Lost
He rebuilt the house in Italianate style and in 1807 Tait bought Castle
Campbell and the glen from the Duke of Argyll.
Crauford Tait’s extravagent improvements and a court case which
prevented him from exploiting the Kellyburn coal mines led to his bankruptcy
and the estate was adminstered by the Globe insurance company until
1859.
In 1859 Harviestoun was bought by Sir Alexander Orr, ex lord provost
of Glasgow. He turned the house into a castle by adding the striking
porch and tower. He also bought Aberdona and Sheardale.
His brother James inherited in 1874 followed by nephew John H Kerr who
in turn was succeeded by his son J Ernest Kerr in 1904.
He was a renowned stock breeder winning many prizes for his Aberdeen
Angus and Shorthorn cattle.
The family moved to Aberdona and Harviestoun was empty for some time
until the 1961 fire at Dollar Academy.
After that the castle was used as a prep school with the pupils being
taken there daily by bus.
When the prep school left, the roof was removed to save the family having
to pay rates.
The weather took its toll and in 1973 the castle was demolished. Some
of the stone was used as a retaining wall at the ford at Castle Cambpell
and for the cairn to Robert Burns at East Lodge.
The Home Farm Buildings, Harviestoun Castle
Tait's tomb is a well known landmark on the road between
Dollar and Tillicoultry. A brick wall surrounds the area in the middle
of a field
