Originally known as Kilarrow House, it was built for Sir Hugh Campbell of Cawdor, Nairnshire around 1677.

The stair towers were added by Daniel Campbell, his successor around 1760 when it was renamed Islay House.

[2] It was acquired in 1853 by James Morrison MP of Basildon Park, Berkshire, England and the offices and servants’ quarters were added between 1841 and 1845 by William Henry Playfair.

Some of the Playfair buildings were demolished in 1910 when a 2 storey nursery wing was added by the architect Detmar Blow.

[3] In 1985 the house was sold to Captain Thomas Friedrich of the United States Navy and in 2014 it was bought by new owners who decided to open it as a hotel.