Country House Rescue

Ruth visits Monreith House in Scotland, home to eccentric bachelor Sir Michael Maxwell.

Monreith House is an imposing Georgian Mansion built in 1799 near Port William in south west Scotland. It is home to Sir Michael Maxwell, the last in line to one of Scotland's oldest families, who can be traced back to 1481, and whose power and riches have contributed to the architectural heritage in the area.

Sir Michael inherited Monreith in the early 1980s from his uncle. But his uncle took the view that it would be cheaper for the grand property to fall down rather than to pay to have it demolished, and left Sir Michael with a house in disrepair.

Sir Michael may have fixed the roof and used his skills as a surveyor to save the house from ruin, but his attempts at renting out holiday homes to pay the bills have been disastrous.

Ruth's attempts to get Sir Michael to invest in making Monreith's accommodation first class don't really go to plan and result in grand rooms jam packed with stored furniture and cheap fixtures and fittings. The only success she does have is in encouraging Sir Michael to make more of his amazing family history to entertain new guests.

Ruth finds Sir Michael's inability to do things to a high standard infuriating, but is ultimately charmed by him and believes the answer to Monreith's problems may lie in a much needed feminine touch. Has Ruth taken on the challenge to find Sir Michael a wife as well as trying to keep Monreith standing?