ARDGOWAN House is set to open up its doors for the first time in 600 years — giving people the chance to see its hidden history and grandeur up close.

The Shaw Stewart family, led by Sir Ludovic, are unlocking their fascinating past which contains connections to the likes of Robert the Bruce, Charles I, Napoleon and Florence Nightingale.

The estate in Inverkip has served as a family home, the centre of a bustling agricultural estate, an imposing symbol of the Shaw Stewart’s dynasty and a military hospital during both world wars.

In an extraordinary move the family will be giving access-all tours of their rooms to see art collections, relics, letters and books that would rival the collections of many national museums.

Sir Ludovic, 28, who moved back from London 18 months ago, said: “We are very unique in that the estate has remained in the same family for 600 years.

“We are hoping that it generates a lot of interest.

“It is aesthetically very interesting and the history is incredible.

“This is my family home. It was a lovely place to grow up and I have many fond memories of it — I loved it.

“I am relishing the challenge of running the estate and taking on the house to secure its long-term future.

“It is a big responsibility with people living and working on the estate. 

“We recently found a Bronze Age tool in the grounds which shows how long this land has been inhabited. There are some great figures in the Shaw Stewarts’ past.”

There has been some kind of fortress on the land since the 11th century and the Hammer of the Scots, the tyrannical Edward 1, conquered the lands in the late 13th century.

Robert the Bruce fought there twice, first for the English and then for the Scots.

Indeed it was the family’s connection with his great grandson Robert the Bruce III that first gave them the Ardgowan lands.

One John Stewart was a favoured illegitimate child of the king and he bestowed on him the title of Baron of Ardgowan.

The Shaw Stewarts were also at the centre of another tumultuous period in Scottish history when Archibald Stewart was Privy Council to Charles I, who was later executed during the English Civil Wars.

Archibald fought the royalist cause as the King looked to impose his high church doctrine on the presbyterians in charge, and was imprisoned for his efforts.

In the centuries since, the Shaw Stewarts have found themselves at the heart of history, with one Michael Shaw Stewart striking up a lifelong friendship with Napoleon’s mother during a gap year in France.

In another footnote of their illustrious past during the Crimean War, Jane Shaw Stewart served as a pioneering nurse and worked alongside the formidable Florence Nightingale.

The splendid period Ardgowan House was built in 1797 by Hugh Cairncross, a pupil of architect Robert Adam.

Sir Ludovic added: “I think my favourite room in the house is the drawing room.

“It is very formal but it is also so cosy.

“I also love the library and the collections of books.”

To find out more about the private tours hosted by Sir Ludovic visit the Ardgowan Estate website or call 521656.