Mount Stuart is a charitable trust founded in 1985. The Trust owns and administrates Mount Stuart, the extraordinary Gothic revivalist house built from 1880 onwards by the 3rd Marquess of Bute (1847-1900), the architectural patron and visionary. The house contains one of the most important archives and collections of paintings in Europe developed through generations, in particular by the 3rd Earl of Bute (1713-1792).

The Contemporary Visual Arts Programme was inaugurated in 2001 together with the RIBA award winning new-build Visitor Centre, designed by Munckenbeck and Marshall, incorporating a restaurant, shop, and audio visual event and exhibition space.

Since 2001, The Mount Stuart Trust has invited artists including Kate Whiteford, Thomas Joshua Cooper, Katy Lynton, Christine Borland, Victoria Clare Bernie, Langlands & Bell, Mischa Haller, Anya Gallaccio, Nathan Coley, Sarah Staton, Moyna Flannigan, Mark Neville, Katja Strunz, and Lee Mingwei to make new work in response to Mount Stuart and Bute. Commissioned works have included land art, photography, video, film, sculpture, painting and installation.

The Trust aims to conserve, preserve and maintain the house, gardens, collections and archive for the public benefit, to promote interest, understanding and appreciation of fine and decorative art, architecture and the natural environment, and facilitate access, education and research.

The Contemporary Visual Arts Programme aims to commission new work, to promote and facilitate interest in the contemporary visual arts and bring exhibitions of international significance to Argyll and Bute. To create potential for a wider audience and new perspectives, it utilizes the context of Mount Stuart and the island of Bute as an exciting opportunity for public artwork and provides diverse educational opportunities.

Through the engagement of the artist the Trust aims to add value and vibrancy to the historical context of Mount Stuart and reinvigorate dialogue and enquiry.

The Mount Stuart Trust is fully committed to utilizing Mount Stuart–house, gardens and collections–as an educational resource. The educational programme is developed in conjunction with primary, secondary, university, adult and outreach organizations and fully supports lifelong learning.