Its a beauty and it is a Bearded Iris. I would call it purple mix, if you look on Chailey Iris garden you will find many other colours too.

there are many cultivars of iris, so trying to get a perfect match is going to be difficult. I am having a similar problem with a couple of mine.

It looks suspiciously like an Arilbred, but there aren't too many of those that would do well in the UK. Maybe just an heirloom Bearded.

Thanks for the input guys....spent ages on the 'net yesterday trying to identify. I think I may have got it...iris germanica 'Senlac', if any one would like to have a look and tell me what you think, I'd be very grateful.
Not quite an heirloom Tugbrethil, my brother moved to a new house last year and I kind of 'helped' myself. I have 1 more Iris too bloom, 5 peony and some red hot pokers. The garden was very mature and had just been left to it's own devices. I managed to clear it out a bit for them, on the understanding I could take 'bits' I wanted. He tells me that everything is doing well but no flowers yet, so I will keep my eye on that!!!! lol
Its been good that both of us are trying to do the garden, as we have both bought plants that we can share over the next few years.

Scottish, is it the name you are after?? Dont think its Senlac then, that one is reddish brown!! I have just looked.

The picture shows this up a lot more purple that it is which was why I thought it may be mauve. It does look a mix of red/brown/purple but not quite maroon. I have had a suggestion of BRUNO as well.

Think you will be looking for a mighty long time!!!! There are thousands to traul through!

Far too many!!! and I don't have that long an attention span lol!! Thanks again.

Lol. good luck.

Well, a "mature" garden could have plants in it from 3 or 4 owners ago, so an Iris from Queen Victoria's reign wouldn't be too surprising! : )