Built in 1884 for Lt-Col William James Scarlett who bought the Island from Clan McNeill. The house was damaged by fire in 1896 and the original architect, John Honeyman was employed to restore and remodel the house in 1900. After several other owners the Island was sold to Colonel Sir James Horlick in 1944 who bought the Island in order to extend his plant collection which he had already been developing in Berkshire. It was Horlicks who developed the 50 acre garden that you see today.
