Pennyghael House, Pennyghael

2-storey 7-bay house with advanced and pedimented 3-bay centre, full-height wings added circa 1920 with 3-bay advanced and piended pavilions. Corniced square porch central incorporates re-set (' English) 1657 rainwater-head. Harled; small-paned sash windows; continuous slated roof with inconspicuous symmetrically-arranged stacks.

Built for John MacGillivray, an emigrant to Canada, who acquired the estate in 1816/19. May incorporate an earlier house. RCAHMS INVENTORY OF ARGYLL, vol 3, p.256 describes leadwork. Said to incorporate an earlier house. (Historic Scotland)

23 August 1986: The Oban Times reports that Pennyghael Estate is being marketed for sale. SCT understands that the house was largely unoccupied between 1957-1971, though it has more recently been in erratic use. The Estate is subsequently sold to rock group Genesis. 14 June 1990: Press reports note that the house was stripped of most internal fittings several years ago. SCT also understands that lead was stripped from the roof. Genesis have now marketed the Estate for sale once more. May 1992: External inspection reveals that the house is rapidly becoming derelict with the front door lying rotten and unsecured. The harling is now peeling off, whilst the former attractive gardens are overgrown. The Estate remains in the ownership of Genesis, after marketing attempts were abandoned. 12 November 1992: The Oban Times reports that Argyll and Bute Council has written to the owners, urging them to undertake repairs. SCT understands that the house was in disrepair when first purchased by Genesis, and the group has carried out improvements to several other estate buildings. 16 November 1992: The Scotsman reports that the former owner is critical of the current condition of the house, which stands unsecured with livestock often gaining access. Genesis had planned to demolish the 2 wings. The Glasgow Herald and the Aberdeen Press and Journal repeat the story. 19 November 1992: The Oban Times repeats the story. 16 November 1992: The Oban Times reports that repairs are estimated at £250,000. 23 January 1993: The Glasgow Evening Times reports that Genesis are willing to consider offers for the house. 2 March 1993: The Sun reports that Genesis has agreed to meet with local planners to discuss the house. 4 March 1993: The Oban Times reports that Argyll and Bute Council has undertaken an external examination to identify structural defects. Genesis has expressed a willingness to undertake repairs. September 1994: Local planners report that the house is now wind and watertight. Broken windows have been repaired, rotten cills replaced, downpipes and gutters cleared, chimneys re-capped, and tiles replaced. February 1996: Agents for Genesis report that the owners are not using the building at present, though it remains wind and watertight. They are not currently prepared to sell. February 1997: External inspection reveals the front door to be wide open, with the hall used for hay storage. There is some evidence of rot, whilst the harling is stained and cracked. June 1997: Agents report that the house is now under offer. 9 July 1997: The Scotsman reports that the Pennyghael Estate has been sold to Dutch firm Epsilon. 10 July 1997: The Daily Mail and the Guardian repeat the story. April 1999: Local planners report that the new owners do not plan to restore the house. February 2000: SCT understands that a potential restoring purchaser is in discussions with the owners. Following inspection, local planners have estimated emergency repair costs to be £100,000. November 2002: Local planners report no change to the house's condition. It remains in the ownership of Epsilon. February 2005: External inspection reveals the house to remain at risk.

September 2007: SCT is contacted by a member of the public to advise that an application for
demolition of part building and restoration of remainder was submitted in Sept 2007.

January 2008: Informed by telephone by the previous owner that building now in advanced state of dilapidation requiring in her opinion £500,000 worth of repairs. The roof is leaking and the building has been vandalised.

October 2008: External inspection finds the building remains vacant. The building is in fair condition but the rainwater goods are missing in some sections and there is a sapling growing on the porch. Application to demolish part of the building and restore the remainder were approved July 2008.

March 2012: A member of the public advises that the house belonged to Hon. William McGillivray, Chief Director of the NorthWest Company, and his second Wife, Anne Magdalen, & their 2 daughters, between 1804-1825.

27 September 2012: External inspection finds continuing decay is evident with parts of the west wind roof now collapsed. There is evidence of vandalism at the site. The sapling over the entrance porch continues to take hold.