Craigends of the 20th Century a Renfrewshire estate remembered

Alison Cuninghame photographed in 1920 by Bassano

When Alison Cuninghame died in 1959 at the age of 88 she became the last in a long line of Madam Cuninghames of Craigends. She is remembered by many locals today as a stern and commanding woman – a living relic of a bygone era. Her remarkable life straddled two eras in history, and tells a fascinating story.

Alison was born in Victoria, Australia in 1868. She was the daughter of two land-owning Scottish families (the Pearsons and the Cuninghames) who had moved to the new continent during the Gold Rush of the 1840s and 50s.

Her family embodied the colonial ethic of the time. They saw opportunity in the new land to create their own fortune, enough ideally to be able to purchase - and one day return to - a heritable estate in Scotland. With “home” a six month boat journey away it is difficult for us today to appreciate the pioneering spirit of this time.

The Pearsons made their business as graziers and sheep farmers. They owned a large extent of land at Velore (near Sale) where they lived a privileged lifestyle – but it would seem their hoped for fortune was not forthcoming. Although they were active in the speculative gold mining industry of the area - it is not thought that their investments were successful. When Alison's father died in 1887 her mother - Williamina – was left to support the family. As a widow with dependent children her position must have been an uncertain one. She decided to move the family back to Scotland.

Return to Renfrewshire

After their arrival in Scotland the family resided firstly at Walkinshaw House in Renfrewshire. Walkinshaw was a property of John Charles Cuninghame of Craigends – Williamina's cousin and the head of the extended family. He was an incredibly wealthy man and it is likely that he arranged the estranged family's tenancy on charitable terms.

For Alison – at only eighteen years of age - this must have been an exciting time. Used to the wilds of Australia, Renfrewshire – in contrast - would have seemed like the centre of the universe. Staying in a grand house such as Walkinshaw would have provided a springboard in to the polite society of the Renfrewshire gentry. Dinners, dances, theatre awaited the young woman. And as a fatherless daughter it is likely that thoughts of marriage were forefront in her mind.

Although being paraded to potential suitors at the débutante balls of the time Alison remained unspoken for as she entered her thirties. By this time the family had moved to a smaller house near Dalry (Kersland House), and Alison had effectively been taken “out of the shop window”. Her elder sister – Helen Laura – was likewise unmarried and there must have been growing concern within the family over their uncertain futures. It seemed they were a family on the decline.

Married life

However, this situation was dramatically rescued when - in 1901 - Alison received the proposal of her wealthy cousin once-removed – John Charles Cuninghame.

Their marriage elevated Alison's social standing dramatically. Overnight she became the lady of the magnificent Craigends House – one of the most spectacular mansions to be built in Scotland in the last fifty years. But, as a measure of her husband's remarkable wealth, Craigends was only their summer residence. As well as a number of estates in Scotland John Charles also owned an exclusive residence in Mayfair, London. Here the married couple entertained the highest of society including, it is believed, even Royalty.

Choosing Alison as his wife was an important decision for John Charles. Little is known about their courtship, but it is clear that they had known each other for many years. Had a relationship formed since Alison arrived on the boat from Australia at just 18 years old? And if it is true that her family were again facing uncertain futures was his choice motivated partly on compassionate terms? (Certainly Alison, her mother and sister were all well supported by the terms of their arrangement.) If there was, however, any desire to produce children by the marriage John Charles was disappointed. He died in 1917 at the age of 65 without leaving an heir.

To be continued...