Constance Burrell

Constance Mary Lockhart, Lady Burrell (née Mitchell; 1875–1961) was a Scottish businesswoman, art collector and philanthropist.

[1] On 19 September 1901, she married the prominent Glasgow ship owner and art collector William Burrell.

She held shares in most of the ships built after 1904 and was one of the principal proposers in the establishment of all but two of the 32 single-ship companies managed by Burrell & Son.

[1][3] After William and Constance moved to Hutton Castle the estate was divided into individual private limited companies.

In 1917 she lent some lace items to an exhibition of antique furniture, tapestries and 'allied domestic arts' that Robert Lorimer had organised in Edinburgh for the aid of Edenhall Hostel in Kelso, for limbless sailors and soldiers.

In 1934 she lent an old Venetian Reticella work chalice veil made in the late 17th century to an exhibition of old silver and lace in Hawick Town Hall in aid of the Scottish Women's Rural Institute.

In his will Burrell was very particular in stating: 'I have had the benefit of my wife's help in many ways including financial help and have received from her the greatest assistance and most wholehearted support in forming the collection .

it is my desire that it be distinctly understood that the entire gift is from my wife and myself and that her name shall always be associated with mine and shall receive full acknowledgement in all official literature relating to the collection'.

[1] In the years after Sir William's death, Constance continued to keep an eye on auction catalogues for potential additions.

Her interest in social and medical affairs can be seen in her membership of the Berwickshire Committee of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and she later became vice-president of the Chirnside and District Nursing Association.

Every year thereafter Constance hosted a Christmas party in the hall for the parishioners, with lively entertainment, refreshments and presents for the children.