The 40-bedroom castle for less than a London flat
Scotland’s last castle – yours for less than the price of a London flat
This stunning and storied castle – previously home to royalty – is on the market for less than the price of a smallish flat in north London
- Finance UK/SWNS – Panoramic view of Carbisdale Castle, Scotland. Known as the Castle of Spite after being built as part of a bitter divorce agreement (SWNS)
It is a Category B listed property and includes other treasures such as a magnificent Jacobean plaster ceiling. It has original breakfront bookcases in the library and a secret door below the Great Staircase.
The castle also has two grand galleries, a number of large public rooms and numerous smaller rooms and as a hostel it contained 40 bedrooms. The clock tower contains the original bells and the clock mechanisms.
In addition to the formal grounds immediately around the castle, a separate piece of land to the west including a small loch also forms part of the sale.
There are various other pockets of land which in total add up to over 16 acres.
History
The castle’s history is notorious. It was constructed between 1906 and 1917 for Mary Caroline, Duchess of Sutherland, the second wife and widow of the 3rd Duke.
Following an acrimonious settlement with her in-laws, it was agreed that the family would build her a castle outside the Sutherland Estate lands.
The Duke even decreed the clock tower should not have a face on the side facing her estranged family as she did not wish to give them the time of day.
She chose a prominent site high above the west bank of the River Shin, just beyond the estate boundary, which could be seen from both the road south and the railway.
Interior of Carbisdale Castle, Scotland (SWNS)
During World War II the castle provided a safe haven at the Castle for King Haakon VII of Norway and Crown Prince Olav, during the Nazi occupation of Norway.
After the war it was donated to the Scottish Youth Hostel Association and used as a hostel until 2011.
However, the severe winter weather during December 2010 resulted in significant damage to the fabric of the building, installations and furnishings in a number of areas.
Major works have been undertaken, including a complete refurbishment of the roof, but “further reinvestment” is still needed on the property.
The Scottish Youth Hostel Association has put the castle on the market with Savills estate agency’s Perth office for £1.2 million.
A fairytale life: Castles for sale
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