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{{Infobox Location
{{Infobox Location
|image        = Torchwood House.jpg
|image        = Torchwood House.jpg
|aka          =  
|aka          = Torchwood Estate
|type          =  
|type          =  
|location      = [[Aberdeenshire]], [[Scotland]]
|location      = [[Aberdeenshire]], [[Scotland]]
|first mention =  
|first mention =  
|first        = Tooth and Claw (TV story)
|first        = Tooth and Claw (TV story)
|appearances  = {{il|[[COMIC]]: ''[[World Without End (comic story)|World Without End]]''|[[COMIC]]: ''[[Station Zero (comic story)|Station Zero]]''}}
|appearances  = {{il|[[PROSE]]: ''[[Welcome to Torchwood House (feature)|Welcome to Torchwood House]]''|[[COMIC]]: ''[[World Without End (comic story)|World Without End]]''|[[COMIC]]: ''[[Station Zero (comic story)|Station Zero]]''|[[AUDIO]]: ''[[Regrets (audio story)|Regrets]]''}}
}}
}}{{Torchwood Institute}}
'''Torchwood House''' was a stately home owned by the MacLeish Family since the [[16th century]], as part of the MacLeish Estate. It was located in rural [[Aberdeenshire]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Two]]'', ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'')
'''Torchwood House''', also known as the '''Torchwood Estate''', was a stately home owned by the MacLeish Family since the [[16th century]], as part of the MacLeish Estate. ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Two (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Two]]'', ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'') It was located in rural [[Aberdeenshire]], ([[TV]]: ''[[Children of Earth: Day Two (TV story)|Children of Earth: Day Two]]'') next to the [[Glen of St Catherine]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Visiting (feature)|Visiting]]'')


It was here that the [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[Rose Tyler]] helped defend [[Victoria|Queen Victoria]] from a [[werewolf]], setting up the foundations for the [[Torchwood Institute]].
Parts of the house dated back to the [[15th century]], though it was extensively rebuilt in the late [[17th century]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'') Much of the house again fell into disrepair in the [[19th century]], when the house was owned by Sir [[George MacLeish]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'') Construction of the observatory, under the auspices of Victoria's husband, Prince Consort [[Albert|Albert of Saxe Coburg]], almost bankrupted the Estate. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Time Traveller's Almanac (reference book)|The Time Travellers' Almanac]]'', [[TV]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'')


Part of the house was turned into an observatory by Sir [[George MacLeish]] under the auspices of Victoria's husband, Prince Consort [[Albert|Albert of Saxe Coburg]]. Prince Albert and George created the [[light chamber]], a device that, used in conjunction with the [[Koh-i-Noor]], killed a [[Lupine Wavelength Haemovariform]] who tried to infect the Queen in [[1879]]. The house suffered major damage during the attack. Several doors were broken down, a table crushed and the glass dome of the library shattered. All of the male staff, including the [[Steward (Tooth and Claw)|steward]], were killed by the creature. Sir [[Robert MacLeish]], the house owner and Captain Reynolds, Victoria's protector, were also killed.
The name of the house came from the wood used in the construction of the [[Great Staircase (Torchwood House)|Great Staircase]]. Legend said that it was made from [[gallows]] struck down by lightning - "the Torched Wood", though later studies found that the staircase had been rebuilt during the time of Sir George MacLeish, using ''[[Amyris elemifera]]''. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'')


As a direct result of these events, Victoria created the [[Torchwood Institute]]. On banishing [[the Doctor]] and Rose from the British Isles (concurrently with knighting them both), she warned darkly there would be dire consequences should they ever attempt to return. ([[TV]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'')
The house notably gave name to the [[Torchwood Institute]], after [[Queen Victoria]] encountered the [[Lupine Wavelength Haemovariform]] while staying at the estate. ([[TV]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'')  Following the visit, Queen Victoria never returned to Torchwood House. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'')


For some time in the 19th and 20th centuries, Torchwood House housed the [[Torchwood Archive]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Torchwood Archive (audio story)|The Torchwood Archive]]'')
The estate was purchased by [[the Crown]] in [[1893]], ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Welcome to Torchwood House (feature)|Welcome to Torchwood House]]'') after which it was used to house the [[Torchwood Archive]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Torchwood Archive (audio story)|The Torchwood Archive]]'') [[Archie Bell]] resided and worked there as early as [[1897]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Apex (audio story)|Apex]]'', ''[[The Victorian Age (audio story)|The Victorian Age]]'') Though parts of the house opened to the public from [[1981]] onwards, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Welcome to Torchwood House (feature)|Welcome to Torchwood House]]'') the house remained under private ownership as an archive facility until [[2007]], after which it was passed to the [[National Trust for Scotland]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Regrets (audio story)|Regrets]]'') The house was famed for both its grounds and observatory, and was considered a jewel of the [[Highlands]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Welcome to Torchwood House (feature)|Welcome to Torchwood House]]'')


In [[2016]], [[James Stirling III]] lived at Torchwood House. [[John Hart (Kiss Kiss, Bang Bang)|John Hart]] broke into the house and shot Stirling, stealing the [[Astrolabe]] that he kept there. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[World Without End (comic story)|World Without End]]'')
== History ==
Some parts of Torchwood House dated back to the [[15th century]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'') It was the home of the [[MacLeish family]] for over three centuries. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Time Traveller's Almanac (reference book)|The Time Travellers' Almanac]]'')
 
The house was extensively rebuilt in the late [[17th century]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'')
 
Much of the house fell into disrepair in the [[19th century]], when the house was owned by Sir George MacLeish, ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'') as he focused his attention and funds on the [[Torchwood Observatory]] at the top of the building. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Time Traveller's Almanac (reference book)|The Time Travellers' Almanac]]'') This was done under the auspices of Victoria's husband, Prince Consort [[Albert|Albert of Saxe Coburg]], who helped Sir George create the [[light chamber]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'') Construction of the observatory almost bankrupted the Estate. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Time Traveller's Almanac (reference book)|The Time Travellers' Almanac]]'') He also notably rebuilt the Great Staircase using ''Amyris elemifera'' and had the walls and doors of the library varnished with ''[[viscum album]]'' - oil of [[mistletoe]].
In [[1879]], the [[Tenth Doctor]] and [[Rose Tyler]] helped defend [[Victoria|Queen Victoria]] from a [[werewolf]], setting up the foundations for the [[Torchwood Institute]].
 
The [[light chamber]], used in conjunction with the [[Koh-i-Noor]], was used to kill the [[Lupine Wavelength Haemovariform]] who tried to infect the Queen. The house suffered major damage during the attack; several doors were broken down, a table crushed and the glass dome of the library shattered. Moreover, all of the male staff, including the [[Steward (Tooth and Claw)|steward]], were killed by the creature. Sir [[Robert MacLeish]], the house owner and Captain Reynolds, Victoria's protector, also lost their lives in the attack.
 
As a direct result of these events, Victoria created the [[Torchwood Institute]]. On permanently banishing [[the Doctor]] and Rose from the British Empire (concurrently with knighting them both), she warned that they should beware of Torchwood should they ever attempt to return. ([[TV]]: ''[[Tooth and Claw (TV story)|Tooth and Claw]]'') Following the visit, Queen Victoria never returned to Torchwood House. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'')
 
Following the death of Sir [[Robert MacLeish]], the male line of the family was extinguished and [[Isobel MacLeish|Lady Isobel]] ordered the house shut up.
 
The estate was subsequently purchased by the Crown in [[1893]], ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Welcome to Torchwood House (feature)|Welcome to Torchwood House]]'') believed by many to be in remembrance of the close bond between the MacLeishes and Queen Victoria's beloved husband Prince Albert. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'')
 
For some time in the 19th and 20th centuries, Torchwood House housed the [[Torchwood Archive]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Torchwood Archive (audio story)|The Torchwood Archive]]'') It remained an archive facility until [[2007]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Regrets (audio story)|Regrets]]'')
 
The house opened to the public in [[1981]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Welcome to Torchwood House (feature)|Welcome to Torchwood House]]'') The public could access Queen Victoria's bedroom, among other rooms in the house. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'') It also had a tearoom, which sold non-alcoholic beverages, various desserts including [[Millingdale|Millingdale Ice Cream]], and a selection of shortbreads baked in a nearby monastery. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Visiting (feature)|Visiting]]'')
 
Tales of the supernatural still haunted the estate, with stories of deformed ghosts, sinister monks and werewolves passing into local folklore. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'') There was even a story that witchcraft was once performed in the kitchens. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Visiting (feature)|Visiting]]'') Such stories were said to have inspired authors including [[James Hogg]], [[Robert Louis Stevenson]] and Sir [[Walter Scott]]. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[History of the House (feature)|History of the House]]'')
 
In [[2006]], HRH [[Charles III|Prince Charles]] officially opened the "[[House of History]]" exhibition in the [[Old Dining Room]]. At this time the house was open to the public between April and September, though the upstairs rooms were closed, undergoing extensive renovations which were due to be completed in [[2008]]. Flash photography and recording equipment were not permitted anywhere in the house or grounds. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[Visiting (feature)|Visiting]]'') According to [[Abby McPhail]], the house was private until [[2007]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Regrets (audio story)|Regrets]]'')
 
In [[2016]], [[James Stirling III]] lived at Torchwood House. [[John Hart]] broke into the house and shot Stirling, stealing the [[Astrolabe]] that he kept there. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[World Without End (comic story)|World Without End]]'')
 
The house was still open to the public in [[2023]], when the cellar was robbed. Due to this incident, it was soon after visited by [[Abby McPhail]] and [[Shawna Thompson]]. At this time, it was owned by the [[National Trust for Scotland]], and the curator was [[Morag Stewart]]. It had appeared in an episode of ''[[Most Haunted]]''. Morag had maintained some level of contact with "[[Archie (The Victorian Age)|Archie]] [...] from the [[Torchwood Institute|Institute]]", but her recent calls to him had not been answered, noting that they had "had to close the tearoom". ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Regrets (audio story)|Regrets]]'')
 
==Location==
It was three hours' drive away from [[Glasgow]]. ([[AUDIO]]: {{cs|Regrets (audio story)}})
 
It was located near to the [[Glen of Saint Catherine monastery]]. ([[PROSE]]: {{Cs|Weddings (feature)}})
 
==Functions==
[[File:Cribbin's wedding.jpg|thumb|Two individuals getting married at the house. ([[PROSE]]: {{Cs|Weddings (feature)}})]]
As early as [[2006]], ([[PROSE]]: {{Cs|Weddings (feature)}}) and as late as [[2023]], ([[AUDIO]]: {{Cs|Regrets (audio story)}}), the house was licensed to hold [[wedding]]s and [[civil partnership]]s. They had a photographer, and claimed to be able to provide "local delicacies" and cater for over [[200 (number)|200]] guests. ([[PROSE]]: {{cs|Weddings (feature)}})


== Behind the scenes ==
== Behind the scenes ==
According to the [[Torchwood House website]], which tied into [[Series 2 (Doctor Who)|series 2]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]'', Torchwood House was licensed for weddings and civil partnership ceremonies. One of the images one the website showed what appeared to be [[Bernard Cribbins]], over a year before Cribbins appeared as the character of [[Wilfred Mott]] in the [[2007 (releases)|2007]] episode ''[[Voyage of the Damned (TV story)|Voyage of the Damned]]''. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visittorchwood.co.uk/weddings-quotes.htm |title=Weddings |date of source= |website name=[[Torchwood House website]] |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref>
The filming location was the same place the [[Torchwood (series)|Torchwood]] cast stayed whilst filming ''[[Countrycide (TV story)|Countrycide]]''. ([[DCOM]]: ''[[Day One (TV story)|Day One]]'')
 
On another tie-in website to series 2, [[whoisdoctorwho.co.uk]], [[Mickey Smith]] reveals that the Torchwood House website has an "online observatory" connected to "a bunch of satellites" that observe alien activity. Mickey has been using this observatory for looking out for "alien invaders and stuff", but notices that Torchwood have lost contact with the satellites. He asks the viewer to go onto the Torchwood House website, click on Observatory, and then "Scan for heavenly bodies" and to enter the [[password]] "Victoria". <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.whoisdoctorwho.co.uk/s2-02_text.htm |title=Torchwood House (TXT MSG version) |date of source= |website name=[[whoisdoctorwho.co.uk]] |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref> This leads to an online game where the objective is to rediscover these satellites. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visittorchwood.co.uk/observatory.htm |title=Observatory |date of source= |website name=[[Torchwood House website]] |accessdate=24 July 2013}}</ref>


== External links ==
== External links ==
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== Footnotes ==
== Footnotes ==
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}
[[Category:Torchwood]]
[[Category:Torchwood]]
[[Category:Scottish houses and mansions]]
[[Category:Scottish houses and mansions]]
[[Category:Buildings visited by the Tenth Doctor]]
[[Category:Buildings visited by the Tenth Doctor]]
[[Category:Torchwood bases]]
[[Category:Alien artefact collections]]

Latest revision as of 19:27, 9 April 2024

Torchwood House, also known as the Torchwood Estate, was a stately home owned by the MacLeish Family since the 16th century, as part of the MacLeish Estate. (TV: Children of Earth: Day Two, Tooth and Claw) It was located in rural Aberdeenshire, (TV: Children of Earth: Day Two) next to the Glen of St Catherine. (PROSE: Visiting)

Parts of the house dated back to the 15th century, though it was extensively rebuilt in the late 17th century. (PROSE: History of the House) Much of the house again fell into disrepair in the 19th century, when the house was owned by Sir George MacLeish. (PROSE: History of the House) Construction of the observatory, under the auspices of Victoria's husband, Prince Consort Albert of Saxe Coburg, almost bankrupted the Estate. (PROSE: The Time Travellers' Almanac, TV: Tooth and Claw)

The name of the house came from the wood used in the construction of the Great Staircase. Legend said that it was made from gallows struck down by lightning - "the Torched Wood", though later studies found that the staircase had been rebuilt during the time of Sir George MacLeish, using Amyris elemifera. (PROSE: History of the House)

The house notably gave name to the Torchwood Institute, after Queen Victoria encountered the Lupine Wavelength Haemovariform while staying at the estate. (TV: Tooth and Claw) Following the visit, Queen Victoria never returned to Torchwood House. (PROSE: History of the House)

The estate was purchased by the Crown in 1893, (PROSE: Welcome to Torchwood House) after which it was used to house the Torchwood Archive. (AUDIO: The Torchwood Archive) Archie Bell resided and worked there as early as 1897. (AUDIO: Apex, The Victorian Age) Though parts of the house opened to the public from 1981 onwards, (PROSE: Welcome to Torchwood House) the house remained under private ownership as an archive facility until 2007, after which it was passed to the National Trust for Scotland. (AUDIO: Regrets) The house was famed for both its grounds and observatory, and was considered a jewel of the Highlands. (PROSE: Welcome to Torchwood House)

History[[edit] | [edit source]]

Some parts of Torchwood House dated back to the 15th century. (PROSE: History of the House) It was the home of the MacLeish family for over three centuries. (PROSE: The Time Travellers' Almanac)

The house was extensively rebuilt in the late 17th century. (PROSE: History of the House)

Much of the house fell into disrepair in the 19th century, when the house was owned by Sir George MacLeish, (PROSE: History of the House) as he focused his attention and funds on the Torchwood Observatory at the top of the building. (PROSE: The Time Travellers' Almanac) This was done under the auspices of Victoria's husband, Prince Consort Albert of Saxe Coburg, who helped Sir George create the light chamber. (TV: Tooth and Claw) Construction of the observatory almost bankrupted the Estate. (PROSE: The Time Travellers' Almanac) He also notably rebuilt the Great Staircase using Amyris elemifera and had the walls and doors of the library varnished with viscum album - oil of mistletoe. In 1879, the Tenth Doctor and Rose Tyler helped defend Queen Victoria from a werewolf, setting up the foundations for the Torchwood Institute.

The light chamber, used in conjunction with the Koh-i-Noor, was used to kill the Lupine Wavelength Haemovariform who tried to infect the Queen. The house suffered major damage during the attack; several doors were broken down, a table crushed and the glass dome of the library shattered. Moreover, all of the male staff, including the steward, were killed by the creature. Sir Robert MacLeish, the house owner and Captain Reynolds, Victoria's protector, also lost their lives in the attack.

As a direct result of these events, Victoria created the Torchwood Institute. On permanently banishing the Doctor and Rose from the British Empire (concurrently with knighting them both), she warned that they should beware of Torchwood should they ever attempt to return. (TV: Tooth and Claw) Following the visit, Queen Victoria never returned to Torchwood House. (PROSE: History of the House)

Following the death of Sir Robert MacLeish, the male line of the family was extinguished and Lady Isobel ordered the house shut up.

The estate was subsequently purchased by the Crown in 1893, (PROSE: Welcome to Torchwood House) believed by many to be in remembrance of the close bond between the MacLeishes and Queen Victoria's beloved husband Prince Albert. (PROSE: History of the House)

For some time in the 19th and 20th centuries, Torchwood House housed the Torchwood Archive. (AUDIO: The Torchwood Archive) It remained an archive facility until 2007. (AUDIO: Regrets)

The house opened to the public in 1981. (PROSE: Welcome to Torchwood House) The public could access Queen Victoria's bedroom, among other rooms in the house. (PROSE: History of the House) It also had a tearoom, which sold non-alcoholic beverages, various desserts including Millingdale Ice Cream, and a selection of shortbreads baked in a nearby monastery. (PROSE: Visiting)

Tales of the supernatural still haunted the estate, with stories of deformed ghosts, sinister monks and werewolves passing into local folklore. (PROSE: History of the House) There was even a story that witchcraft was once performed in the kitchens. (PROSE: Visiting) Such stories were said to have inspired authors including James Hogg, Robert Louis Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott. (PROSE: History of the House)

In 2006, HRH Prince Charles officially opened the "House of History" exhibition in the Old Dining Room. At this time the house was open to the public between April and September, though the upstairs rooms were closed, undergoing extensive renovations which were due to be completed in 2008. Flash photography and recording equipment were not permitted anywhere in the house or grounds. (PROSE: Visiting) According to Abby McPhail, the house was private until 2007. (AUDIO: Regrets)

In 2016, James Stirling III lived at Torchwood House. John Hart broke into the house and shot Stirling, stealing the Astrolabe that he kept there. (COMIC: World Without End)

The house was still open to the public in 2023, when the cellar was robbed. Due to this incident, it was soon after visited by Abby McPhail and Shawna Thompson. At this time, it was owned by the National Trust for Scotland, and the curator was Morag Stewart. It had appeared in an episode of Most Haunted. Morag had maintained some level of contact with "Archie [...] from the Institute", but her recent calls to him had not been answered, noting that they had "had to close the tearoom". (AUDIO: Regrets)

Location[[edit] | [edit source]]

It was three hours' drive away from Glasgow. (AUDIO: Regrets [+]Loading...["Regrets (audio story)"])

It was located near to the Glen of Saint Catherine monastery. (PROSE: Weddings [+]Loading...["Weddings (feature)"])

Functions[[edit] | [edit source]]

Two individuals getting married at the house. (PROSE: Weddings [+]Loading...["Weddings (feature)"])

As early as 2006, (PROSE: Weddings [+]Loading...["Weddings (feature)"]) and as late as 2023, (AUDIO: Regrets [+]Loading...["Regrets (audio story)"]), the house was licensed to hold weddings and civil partnerships. They had a photographer, and claimed to be able to provide "local delicacies" and cater for over 200 guests. (PROSE: Weddings [+]Loading...["Weddings (feature)"])

Behind the scenes[[edit] | [edit source]]

The filming location was the same place the Torchwood cast stayed whilst filming Countrycide. (DCOM: Day One)

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]