We all grew up wanting to live in the castles we’d seen in Disney movies. Because we pretty much all wanted to be princes and princesses. Nowadays we’ve moved away from wanting our stories to be about finding true love and living happily ever after in the big house.
However, we still very much want to be seen living a successful and desirable life. Your home is a status symbol and a reflection of the lifestyle you lead. If you say you don’t immediately scroll the pictures when someone you vaguely know on Facebook posts their house listing, you’re lying. You can tell a lot about a person – income, taste, priorities – by the property they chose and how they decorate it. So with mansions, millionaires and general nosiness on the brain, let’s take a look at some of the most expensive properties and estates ever listed in Scotland.
Glenlochay Estate
The 12,800 acre Glenlochay estate in Highland Perthshire is a traditional sporting estate. And we’re not talking about sports as in a kickabout in the garden. We’re talking – salmon fishing, grouse shooting and deer stalking. There’s also viable farming and forestry enterprises within the estate. At time of sale the estate included a Farmhouse with 2 reception rooms and 2 bedrooms, but there is plenty of space for expansion!
Sold – around £4.2million in 2019
Dalhebity House
A 30,000 square feet mansion which boasts royal links (and is currently on the market!) Dalhebity House, in Aberdeenshire, has a small lake, tennis court, woodlands, spa complex, swimming pool aaaand housekeeper’s accommodation. Wow. The eight-bed house was built by ex-Aberdeen Football Club chairman Stewart Milne in 2009. Situated just seven miles from Aberdeen International Airport, you have the luxury of convenience as well as privacy. An added talking point being that the house is built on the land of Diana, Princess of Wales’s grandmother Lady Fermoy’s former home.
On the market – £7.5million
Seton Castle
Seton Castle is an 18th-century Georgian castle in East Lothian. The castle was the final work of Robert Adam, a Scottish architect and designer who transformed Palladian Neoclassicism. It was extremely popular with Mary Queen of Scots, who reportedly spent time there after her 2nd husband was murdered, they had previously honeymooned at the spot. The property itself is made up of several shaped towers around a curved wall enclosing the courtyard which is entered by a central archway. The impressive property boasts a helipad, a bar, a cinema and a 10,000-bottle wine cellar! Along with 13 bedrooms and 3 cottages in the grounds.
Sold – to DREAMR Hotels in April 2022, for over £8million
Cassillis Estate
Owned by the Kennedy family since the 15th century, the Cassillis Estate was bought by Australian multi-millionaire Kate Armstrong, founder of the website confused.com, in 2009. Armstrong spent 4 years renovating the property. The 5 story property includes a ballroom, three reception rooms, a library and a cinema. Plus there are three cottages on the estate.
Sold – for around £3.9million in May 2021
Inchmarnock
A literal private island. With its own ferry! Cool, huh? Inchmarnock hit the headlines when Lord Smith of Kelvin put it on the market in 2019. Lord Smith had purchased the island in the 1990s when it was derelict and eventually turned it into a cattle farm! A four-bedroom family holiday home on the Isle of Bute is also included. Owning a whole Scottish island for the same price as a standard home in London would be a pretty decent brag.
On the market in 2019 for £1.4million
Kingsborough Gardens, Glasgow
If it’s city life you’d prefer, Kingsborough Gardens in Glasgow’s trendy West End is where to spend that hard earned cash. The quiet street is home to families as well as young professionals. There are communal gardens to be enjoyed by the community of Kingsborough, as well as being close to the stunning Botanic Gardens.
Last sold in January 2021 for £1.4million
The Crescent, Edinburgh
Located just one mile from the city centre, The Crescent boasts 84 glass-fronted apartments. Build in the grounds of Edinburgh’s iconic Donaldson estate, a stone’s throw from Haymarket station and Murrayfield Stadium. Ideal luxury city living. Since its completion in 2018 the building has seen national attention, picking up nine gold wins across five awarding bodies including two WhatHouse Awards for Best Luxury Development and Best Apartment Scheme.
Prices range from £595,000 to £1.7million
Apartment 24, Hamilton Grand, St. Andrews
If golf is your thing, and you’ve got a spare few million pounds kicking about, this two bed apartment in the “Home of Golf” is for you. The Hamilton Grand building has 27 luxury homes, complete with reception hall, concierge, a private lounge for residents and a sensational roof terrace. The roof terrace overlooks the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the world-famous Old Course, the West Sands and out to sea. Apartment 24 itself faces East Sands and the Old Course. There are two en suite shower rooms, open plan living space and a unique circular room with panoramic views.
On the market – £4.1million
Clachtoll, Lochinver Lairg
Located on the North Coast 500, Scotland’s answer to Route 66, this property is one of the most expensive homes to go on the market in the area. Once featured on BBC2’s This Farming Life the 4-bed, 3-bath property boasts 27 acres of land!
On the market – offers over £800,000
The Arran Lodge, Arran
This wedding venue is actually Waterman’s very own listing. Arran has become increasingly popular in recent years, being named in the top 5 coastal hotspots for homebuyers by Rightmove, one of the top seven islands in the world for day trips by CNN, even winning Trivago’s top European island in 2016. This particular property is loaded with potential. The main house boasts 12 bedrooms and a function room that can hold up to 100 guests. Plus a further 25 sleephuts with en-suites surround the main house. Then there’s the two-bedroom cottage and two current Airbnb Rentals included in the sale. There are also drawings available for the potential demolition of the building to make way for luxury apartments.
On the market – offers over £1,250,000
Kirkton Park, Auchterarder
Said to have cost a staggering £10million to build, Kirkton Park is said to be one of Scotland’s most expensive modern homes. It went on the market for £3.4million in 2015 when mining and property giant owner, Graham Gillespie, went bankrupt. The six-bedroom luxury home has its own gym, cinema, spa and a two bedroom out-house. As well as a view of Gleneagles Golf course.
Sold – for £2.5million in July 2016
The older we get, the more we realise you can make your own castles. Yes you might have significantly less space than Cinderella, but that doesn’t mean your 1-bed flat is any less special. We can help you source your Happily Ever After home. Whether you’re looking for a marvellous mansion or a little first flat. Contact our estate agency team today. We can help you if you’re a first time buyer, looking to list your house or looking for a new one!
List your property for sale with Watermans between now and the 31st of March 2023 to be entered into a draw to win your property sale for free. That means no estate agency or legal fees!