We take a look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland.
Dunbeath, Caithness — £25,000,000
The simply magnificent Dunbeath Castle is just the beginning at what is one of the greatest private estates we’ve seen for sale in a long, long time.
There is coastland, moorland, farmland and woodland among the 28,500 acres in this dramatic setting in the very north of Scotland.
There are also nearly two dozen more houses and cottages included with the estate, which offers an astonishing Highland playground for whoever comes to take it on.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures of this property.
Edinburgh — £6,000,000
A castle in miniature that’s on the edge of Edinburgh itself, this is a rare opportunity — as you’d probably have guessed from the asking price alone.
This 17th century Scots Baronial-style house has been beautifully renovated in the last 10 or 15 years, an award-winning project led by local architect Lorn Macneal.
The result is the archtype of a country house updated for the 21st century, with superb kitchen, cinema room and leisure facilities that include games room and steam room. Wonderful.
For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures of this property.
Ardwell, Wigtownshire — £9,500,000
A rather astonishing 1,637-acre estate up for sale not far from Stranraer, with a huge variety of things to offer.
There is an ancient castle (naturally) to a grand country house, a large number of other properties, a picture-perfect sandy beach with ancient harbour, and much more besides.
Oh, and we almost forgot: the estate comes with a Barony title, so you really can be the lord of your own manor.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures of this property.
Comrie, Crieff — £6,750,000
The Lawers Estate is for sale, with Lawers House at its heart and 650 acres of land.
Somtimes it’s the estate that’s the big selling point, but not in this case: the principal house is beautiful, astonishing and utterly enormous with over 75 rooms:.16 bedrooms, 7 of which are en-suite, 7 reception rooms including a billiards room, large office wing and exceptional ballroom with stunning restored ceiling mural
You’ll get several Cluedo boards-worth of space, including 16 bedrooms, seven of which are en-suite, and seven reception rooms including a billiards room, large office wing and exceptional ballroom with stunning restored ceiling mural.
For sale with Bidwells. See more pictures of this property.
Creetown, Dumfries & Galloway — £9,500,000
Far from your usual castle-buying opportunity, Castle Cary isn’t just a ruined castle by the sea — although it is also that — since it comes with an entire holiday park as part of the deal.
The place has been in the same family for 166 years but now the whole thing is ip for sale, including the holiday park (opened in 1976) complete with its swimming pool, pub, nine-hole golf course and over 100 tent/caravan pitches, all set in 220 acres.
There is a fine six-bedroom main house, while the castle itself is a romantic ruin, dating back to the 15th century.
For sale with Galbraith. See more pictures of this property.
Highlands — £7,500,000
A 1,000-acre estate with a red stone castle at its heart.
Woodland and pasture are part of the landscape, with deer stalking and scope for a driven shoot.
The agents also cite the opportunity to develop further.
For sale with Goldsmith & Co. See more pictures of this property.
Croy, Highlands — £4,000,000
Kilravock Castle, on the River Nairn, is the original seat of Clan Rose, an A-listed, 15th century castle that ticks all the boxes.
As the pictures here show some updating is needed — it’s a former hostel — but the place is so full of wonderful original touches it feels that any project would be rewarding and straightforward, at least in the conception.
Just under 500 acres come as part of the associated estate, incuding nine cottages, an arboretum and fishing rights.
For sale with Galbraith. See more pictures of this property.
Islay, Argyll and Bute — £3,000,000
A splendid castle in a breathtaking location, the 13-bedroom Islay House is a wonderful building set amid grounds filled with flowers; some of Scotland’s best bluebells and daffodils are here.
Islay House has been gorgeously refurbished in the last three years or so, work which has included rewiring and plumbling — things all too often overlooked or patched up.
Inside, the spiral staircase is a particular highlight of a 13-bedroom property with nearly 30 acres of beauty as a setting.
For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures of this property.
Nethy Bridge, Highlands — £3,000,000
Some 16 bedrooms come in this delightful home in the Cairngorms National Park, a short drive from Inverness and with Aviemore almost on the doorstep.
Views across Abernethy Forest and the Cairngorms were part of the equation from the time Aultmore House was planned; it’s hard to imagine a more beautiful spot.
This house is just as beautiful inside as it is out, a place that feels special the moment you step in to the stunning double-height hallway.
For sale with Knight Frank. See more pictures of this property.
Stirlingshire — £1,300,000
An estate rather than a castle, yet no less grand for all that — at least in its grandest areas, for Powfoulis Manor offers a huge mix of buildings for its (recently-reduced) asking price.
Powfoulis was in the hands of the Bruce family from the 16th century for ten generations, but it was converted into a hotel after the Second World War and is still set up as such. There is a dining room that can seat 50, a bar, and 16 guest rooms as well as a fine owner’s apartment in this B-Listed manor house situated in beautiful gardens and grounds.
With Falkirk and Stirling both close, and Edinburgh an easy commute, it’s not hard to see (subject to appropriate permissions) somebody turning this into a sumptuous country home.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures of this property.
Fife — £8,000,000
Earlshall Castle, just outside Leuchars — just a few minutes’ drive from St Andrews, and with direct trains to Edinburgh — is a picture-perfect castle that’s been looking for a new owner for a while, yet it’s undoubtedly a splendid property.
The agents describe it as ‘one of the best kept 16th century houses in Scotland’, and the pictures here show the astonishingly good state of everything from external stonework to the barrel-vaulted ceilings within.
The gardens are famous, and one of the great highlights of the place, having been restored to glory by the great Scots architect Sir Robert Latimer.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures of this property.
Fife — £1,700,000
The name ‘Pirwindy Keep’ conjures images of an edifice that might have stood for a millennium, yet this unusual home is less than a quarter of a century old.
Built in 1998, it’s built in the style of a traditional Scottish castle keep, formed into a six-bedroom home that’s warm, well insulated and well-appointed.
There’s over 5,000 sq ft of living space and lovely gardens, while St Andrews and the delightful villages of the East Neuk are just a few miles away.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures of this property.
East Lothian — £1.7m
A true 14th century landmark rising proudly from surrounding farmland, the magnificent Fa’side Castle commands spectacular views over the Forth Estuary and the Lothians. Despite its historic origins, it is well designed for modern life with practical kitchen, magnificent hall and five bedrooms in addition to unique B&B accommodation in a tower and two cottages.
For those with a head for heights, it features a glass walkway atop an old dungeon and a foof top walkway to take in the panoramic views, as well as many classic features of the era.
Excellent transport links mean Edinburgh is an easy commute. Excellent local schools are within easy reach and the locality boasts the oldest golf course in the world — Musselborough — in addition to famous walking and cycling trails and wonderful beaches. The agents report that an offer has been received, but in these uncertain times we’d suggest that nothing is done until it’s done.
For sale with Savills. See more pictures and details about this property.
Dornoch, Sutherland — £2,500,000
Dornoch Castle dates from the 15th century and is currently run as a 22-bed hotel set within spacious walled gardens.
Great care has been taken to preserve the castles historic character — with original 15th century stonework decorating the walls of the bar area and many of the bedrooms featuring open fires.
The castles launch onto the market provides a wonderful opportunity to run a fantastic lifestyle business that is already well-established and well-renowned.
For sale with Strutt & Parker. See more pictures of this property or request further details from the agent.
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Aberdeenshire — £2.7 million
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For sale with Galbraith. See more pictures and details about this property.
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