Highland Retreats: The Architecture and Interiors of Scotland's Romantic North

I loved this book. Not only did it provide a wealth of information about life and taste in the Scottish Highlands in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, it gave a detailed look at the effect that artists like Landseer had on evolving Victorian tastes. The interiors of many of these Highland retreats are just beautiful and offer insights into the design concepts utilized at Balmoral. I'll go back to this book again and again.

This is not only a lovely picture book, but a concise and informative history of Scotland's architecture and culture. It is a terrific read and the book itself is beautiful in the extreme. If you love Scotland you will sure love this book.

A wonderful book especially if you have ever been to the Highlands!

If you want to look at stuffed heads of game animals hanging on the wall, then this is the book for you! Yes, I know such was very typical "wall art" for these "highland retreats", but sheesh--could we at least have some a FEW photos without something dead on display? Maybe a kitchen or bathroom somewhere with no trophy heads hanging on the walls? Sent it back.

Very interesting!

Highland Retreats: The Architecture and Interiors of Scotland’s Romantic North by Mary Miers is a stunning “must-have” coffee table book published in 2017 by the highly acclaimed Rizzoli publishers.In eight chapters and 280 pages Miers takes us on a journey through the history of the highlands in the last three centuries, especially the history that found it becoming a retreat for many of the rich and famous in their eagerness to hunt stags and escape from the city. These visitors were not staying in remote hunting lodges that lacked any kind of creature comfort. Instead they were traveling to beautiful, and expensively furnished, highland estates where they could enjoy nature outdoors and sophistication and wealth inside.The book is illustrated with stunning photography as well as reproductions of pertinent drawings and paintings. The large size of the book (10.5 x 11 in) enhances the photographs and enables many details of the furnishings to be observed.Chapter topics include the discovery of the highlands as a retreat, the effect of the royal family’s attachment to Balmoral, the hunting sports that took place, and the art and nature involved. Along the way, each chapter is illustrated by an in-depth look at one or two incredible highland properties such as Dunrobin Castle, Torosay Castle, Kinloch Castle, Mar Lodge, Skibo Castle and others.Travel Notes: this book is an ideal armchair get-away to the Highlands as well as an excellent preparation guide for a real-life tour through the Highlands.

I had heard Mary Miers give a lecture on the subject and was intrigued by the transformation of a 'wild, unruly country' was rebranded and developed in Victorian times as a romantic idyll, and the way this was reflected in the estates and buildings that were developed during that time.

Fabulous account of the history of the Highlands and particularly, some of the spectacular houses, architects were (and still are )inspired to create amid the breathtaking scenery. An informed and highly readable text make this a coffee table book which the reader is reluctant to put down. The stunning photos complete the magical atmosphere of these rare retreats. A great gift at any time.

This is a beautifully illustrated and very interesting account of the flowering of the Scottish shooting lodge as an architectural presence in the Highlands: some lavish, others just plainly utilitarian. Fascinating both from the architectural and social historical point of view.

This is a lovely book and it was bought to take to friends in America that love Scottish architecture and I am sure that they will be very pleased with their present .

Excellent work as you would expect from this author, great text and photography. 5 star all the way.