The old-fashioned appearance of Methven Castle, which lies five miles to the west of Perth, has encouraged historians to describe it as a country house of transitional significance. Built in 1664, it has been linked stylistically with the design of Panmure in Angus (1661) and John Mylne, the distinguished king’s master mason. It contrasted sharply with the stark classicism of two other post-Restoration houses in Perthshire, Dunkeld (1676) and Moncreiffe (1679), conceived by Sir William Bruce. Yet the muniments of the Smythe Family of Methven suggest a very different story. Since building work at Methven did not begin until 1678, it did not predate Dunkeld and Moncreiffe at all. It was the last of the three houses to be completed and what is more its owner, Patrick Smyth, was intimately acquainted with the other two houses and even employed the chief mason from Dunkeld.