TWO mansions and a castle up for sale in Scotland can be bought for the same price as a semi-detached house in central London.
According to estate agents Rightmove a semi in decent condition in central London will fetch an average of £5 million.
Meanwhile, three separate sellers are looking for £2.25m for Dornoch Castle Hotel in Sutherland, £1.1m for Rothes Glen House in Banffshire and £1.75m for Eden Mansion in St Andrews. The latter is the long-time home of the Haig family of whisky distillers whose most famous member, Field Marshal Earl Haig, once lived there.
Dornoch Castle Hotel, above, offers a real chance to buy a piece of Scottish history. The original castle was built around 1500 as the home of the Bishops of Caithness. Bishop Robert Stewart gifted the castle to John Gordon, 11th Earl of Sutherland in 1557.
In 1570 the castle was set alight in a feud between the McKays and the Murrays. The rebuilding which followed included the addition of the upper part of the tower.
According to the estate agents Strutt & Parker: “The castle decayed during the 18th century, but was restored in 1813-14 to serve as a school and jail. In 1859-60 it became a courthouse, and was made the headquarters of the Sheriff of Sutherland.
“Further alterations were made around 1880, including the heightening of the south-west block, and the addition of a three-storey east tower.
“Afterwards, the castle became a hunting lodge for visiting sportsmen. In 1947 it became a hotel. The castle is a category B listed building. Our clients have owned the hotel since 2000 and have restored this historic building to its former glory.”
Savills are selling Rothes Glen House which they say “remains an attractive opportunity for house-hunters wanting a change of lifestyle, with the idyllic surrounding area famous for its salmon fishing, golf courses and malt whisky distilleries”.
The turreted castle-style home has been highlighted by Homes and Property who said: “On sale for £1.1m, the sprawling, baronial-style Rothes Glen House is set in 9.3 acres of grounds.”
Eden Mansion dates from 1860. The marketing agents said: “Eden Mansion has an idyllic setting, secluded amidst mature trees and surrounded by five acres of landscaped garden grounds. It boasts an enviable location, situated at the head of the Eden Estuary looking towards the renowned Royal & Ancient Old Course. It offers exclusivity yet is only minutes drive away from the ‘Home of Golf’.
“Eden Mansion is a grand and imposing Victorian mansion dating from 1860. The house was built by the Haig family, who are renowned as Scotland’s oldest whisky distillers, their most notable family member being the 1st Earl Haig.”
An Edinburgh property expert told The National: “There is considerable demand for these types of property, and the Scottish Government’s new property tax, the land and buildings transaction tax, does not appear to be diminishing the high end of the market.
“When you see that you could sell your semi in central London and get three such lovely properties, you have to conclude that the property market in and around London is over the top.”
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