Tuesday 30 October 2018

Scottish mansion plus castle to renovate


Sometimes one house isn't enough. Sometimes my renovation daydreams extend to owning - say - a big, seven-bedroom country mansion with a castle in the grounds.
Exhibit A: Culdees
Looking over the unfortunately named Perthshire village of Muthill, Culdees Castle was built in 1810 for Charles Drummond, extended in 1867.



It's fallen on harder times since - last lived in in 1968 and the photos, despite the sunshine and prettiness, show a building possibly lacking some walls as well as its windows and parts of the roof.
Renovation will be a BIG job, and as you'd expect, the castle is Grade B listed.



Lovely location, gorgeous views and reasonable distance from Perth (20 miles), sort of middle of a triangle between Crieff, Auchterader and Dunblane.
The agent's details stress Gleneagles six miles away and the Waitrose at Stirling and fast trains to London from Dunblane. I think we know the market they're aiming for.
The nearby manse has a running-down, 70s vibe but also lovely airy rooms and bags of space and potential.



Five reception rooms, two kitchens, pantry, larder, and a lovely hall. Upstairs are seven bedrooms, three bathrooms and a games room. Plus a large floored attic.






There are lovely views over the gardens and parkland (around 18 acres, according to the brochure) and across the valley of Strathearn.




Sent to me by Thomas ("I enjoy reading your blog, and this caught my eye the other day, thought I would submit") it's really intriguing property.
However, at offers over £730k it's pricey unless you are able to renovate the castle. The mansion on its own wouldn't make that amount. Plus there's a lot of renovation work in that castle - could turn out to be a money pit...
But then there's a reason I don't run a blog called 'Development opportunity of the week'. Some properties need daydream believers.

On the market through Galbraith. Details and more pictures here and here.