The pineapple-shaped 18th century home built by a Scottish Earl to impress his wife
The 40-foot stone folly shaped exactly like the tropical fruit was built in 1761 by John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore
Families in search of an unusual day out this summer need look no further than Stirlingshire, where one of Scotland’s most bizarre and eye-catching landmarks awaits. Just outside the village of Airth stands the Dunmore Pineapple.
The 40-foot stone folly is shaped exactly like the tropical fruit, leading to it often being named the strangest building in the country. Built in 1761 by John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore, the pineapple was designed to crown a summer house within the gardens of his estate.
Rising dramatically above the brick walls of Dunmore Park, the structure was created to impress his wife, Charlotte, and has puzzled and delighted visitors for centuries, Glasgow Live reports.
Defined at the time as a “costly ornamental building with no practical purpose”, follies were fashionable among wealthy families across Britain in the 17th and 18th centuries. Few, however, matched the eccentricity of this one.
The Earl had served as Colonial Governor in both the American Colonies and the Bahamas before returning home.
Some believe the design was inspired by the common practice of sailors in Virginia, who would place pineapples on their gateposts to announce their return and welcome visitors.
Others point to the fruit’s prominence in the Bahamas, where it was a major crop during Murray’s governorship. Whatever the reason, the pineapple quickly became a status symbol.
Exotic fruits were considered rare and desirable luxuries, with pineapples in particular associated with wealth and hospitality. Many Scottish estates built heated pits and hothouses to cultivate them, including Dunmore.
The pineapple building remained part of the family’s estate until the early 20th century, but by the 1970s both the gardens and surrounding grounds had fallen into disrepair.
Scottish getaways
Eventually, the property was gifted to the National Trust for Scotland, which restored the gardens in partnership with the Landmark Trust.
Today, the folly itself has a new lease of life. In a remarkable twist, the upper floors of the building are now available as holiday accommodation, sleeping up to four guests.
Visitors can stay beneath the giant stone fruit while enjoying the surrounding gardens, woodlands and even the site’s former curling pond.
For those simply wishing to explore, the area is open to the public and makes for a rewarding day out. The popular Walk Highlands website provides a mapped route around the Hill of Dunmore, passing through woodland and into the nearby village of Airth.
A direct path also runs from the village itself, signposted and easy to follow. While accessible, the terrain can be uneven in places, making sturdy footwear advisable.
It may not be suitable for prams or very young children, but older families will find plenty of fun in discovering this unusual corner of Scotland.
Whether admired as a feat of eccentric architecture or enjoyed as part of a summer walk, the Dunmore Pineapple remains one of Scotland’s most unique attractions.
Rising unexpectedly above the trees, its spiky silhouette never fails to surprise first-time visitors.