The Gartlandsborg Story
Lord Merthyr Guest first came to Gartland to fish for salmon in 1862. During his early visits, he stayed at the neighbouring Rossetnes farm before moving to Gartland, where he purchased Peder Hansen Gartland’s farm in 1865.
Peder became Guest’s regular boatman and was the first person in the village to learn English. In 1868, Guest also purchased the neighbouring Vollen farm. Both farms were located near Gløshaug Church, approximately one kilometre from the river.
Finding this distance inconvenient, Guest moved the Vollen farmhouse down to the river in 1870 and renamed the property Gartlandsnesset. Gartlandsborg was completed in 1872.
Built in a colonial style, the house features a large veranda, ornate columns and an impressive entrance door originating from Stiftsgården in Trondheim. It enjoys magnificent views across the River Namsen towards Rossetfjellet mountain.
Merthyr Guest was married to Lady Theodora, daughter of the Duke of Westminster. Following his death in 1902, Lady Theodora sold the farm—excluding Gartlandsborg—back to Peder Hansen Gartland’s son in 1907.
In 1908, Gartlandsborg was sold to the Englishman Henry J. Pearson. He and his descendants owned the property until 1976, when Per Olav Gartland—the great-great-grandson of Peder Hansen Gartland—became the new owner. In 2012, he sold Gartlandsborg to Anders Zwarts.
During seasons when the owners were unable to visit, the house was often rented to other English salmon anglers. The names of several distinguished guests are still engraved into the panels of the veranda entrance door, including Churchill, Goodrich, Roosevelt and Marlborough.
During the 1960s, Gartlandsborg was also visited by members of the royal families of the Benelux countries.
The Salmon Lords of Namsen
In 1908, Gartlandsborg was sold to the Englishman Henry J. Pearson. He and his descendants owned the property until 1976, when Per Olav Gartland—the great-great-grandson of Peder Hansen Gartland—became the new owner. In 2012, he sold Gartlandsborg to Anders Zwarts.
During seasons when the owners were unable to visit, the house was often rented to other English salmon anglers. The names of several distinguished guests are still engraved into the panels of the veranda entrance door, including Churchill, Goodrich, Roosevelt and Marlborough.
During the 1960s, Gartlandsborg was also visited by members of the royal families of the Benelux countries.
The Legendary Salmon of Rossethylla
On 20 July 1894, Thomas Merthyr Guest and his trusted boatman, local landowner Peder Gartland, hooked an extraordinary salmon at Rossethylla—the very same place where anglers still cast their lines today.
The magnificent salmon weighed an incredible 64 pounds, or 29 kilograms, and was photographed by local photographer Johan Thome. It remains one of the largest and most legendary catches in the long history of the River Namsen.
Guest later purchased the rocky outcrop where the great salmon was caught, simply to have the remarkable details of this historic catch permanently carved into the stone for future generations.
The House Today
The guest accommodation includes eight bedrooms, two bathrooms—one renovated in 2024—a dining room, lounge and kitchen. The lounge and four bedrooms date back to 1872.
The spacious 100 m² veranda remains largely original, complete with its distinctive inscriptions on the doors and frames. It is the perfect place to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine or a gin and tonic after a day on the river—or simply take in the peace, views and surrounding nature.
We offer full board, half board and self-catering. We are highly flexible and will do our best to tailor each stay to the wishes and needs of every group.
