A restrained early-nineteenth-century house above the town now forms the historic core of a working hotel.
Quick facts
- Date
- Built 1806–1810; later additions and hotel adaptation
- Architect / designer
- James Gillespie Graham
- Type
- Classical house with rear courtyard ranges
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB13918)
- OS grid reference
- NG 47963 44019
Architecture and continuing use
Coursed rubble, broad corner pilasters and a moulded cornice give the three-bay front a calm classical order. A later porch and dormers record adaptation, while rear ranges and a quadrant link enclose a service courtyard.
Its story
Built in the first decade of the nineteenth century, the house was occupied by Lord Macdonald’s chamberlain. Subsequent additions supported domestic and hospitality uses; it now operates as Marmalade hotel.
Why it is included
The building connects estate administration, polite classical design and Portree’s modern visitor economy without losing the legibility of the original house.
What to notice
- Wide corner pilasters and raised centre of the parapet line.
- Later dormers above the three-bay front.
- Relationship between the main house and lower rear courtyard ranges.
Reading the surroundings
This is a commercial hotel. Enter only as a guest, diner or with staff permission, and respect bedrooms, service areas and the privacy of guests.
Timeline
- Built 1806–1810 Built in the first decade of the nineteenth century, the house was occupied by Lord Macdonald’s chamberlain. Subsequent additions supported domestic and hospitality uses; it now operates as Marmalade hotel.
- Present Operating hotel known as Marmalade.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The designation uses the historic name Portree House; Marmalade is the current trading identity and business arrangements can change.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Portree House, LB13918 — Designation status, mapped location, construction phases, fabric, authorship and architectural or historical interest.
- Perle Hotels: Marmalade — Current hotel identity, accommodation and visitor information.
Location
OS grid reference NG 47963 44019 · Location confidence: High: the statutory designation supplies an official mapped National Grid Reference and the current source confirms the Place relationship or present identity. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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