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The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Business
- The Herald Scotland
Scottish estate steeped in clan history put up for sale
Armadale Castle Estate on the Isle of Skye is centred around the dramatic ruins of a 19th century Gothic mansion. It is being marketed for sale by Strutt & Parker at offers over £2.76 million as a whole, or in seven lots. Robert McCulloch, Strutt & Parker's head of estate and farm agency in Scotland, said: "Armadale is a place of rare character and heritage. "It has the grandeur: the ruined turrets, the ancient trees, the views that stretch across the Sound of Sleat - but is also one of the Isle of Skye's most established and internationally recognised tourist attraction and associated businesses." The estate from above. (Image: Strutt & Parker) The castle, which forms the centrepiece of the estate, is the historic seat of the Macdonalds of Sleat, "one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans historically". The first recorded reference to a house at Armadale is from 1690, when the Royal Navy shelled the site to bring the Jacobite Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat to heel. A new mansion was constructed in the 1790s, with a grand Tudor-Gothic wing added in 1815 by James Gillespie Graham. Today, the estate is operated by a charitable trust as a well-established visitor destination, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. It includes a purpose-built visitor centre, which houses the Museum of the Isles, together with the former stable block which includes a pair of self-contained apartments, café/restaurant which can be used as 'well-appointed venue for functions and events, and associated offices and utilitarian space'. The agent said: 'This is complemented by Armadale Gardens, which extends to around 40 acres of formal Victorian planting with specimen trees and rare conifers laid out across terraces and wooded walks. 'The wider estate includes Armadale House, a secluded period five-bedroom family-sized home and former head gardener's house; the converted Stables used for accommodation and hospitality; and Forester's Cottage, tucked among the trees, and six self-catering cabins with spectacular sea views. 'The land itself totals approximately 359 acres combining mixed species woodland and enclosed pasture on a gently sloping ground with a southeasterly aspect and magnificent views." The agent added "In addition to Armadale Castle Estate, the adjoining South Sleat Estate – extending to over 19,000 acres and also owned by the Clan Donald Lands Trust is for sale at offers over £6.75m. A further cottage with development land is available for sale as an addition to Armadale Castle or South Sleat estates. The availability for sale of these estates offers purchasers of wide range and varying budget a fantastic opportunity to own either a small or a large part of the famous Isle of Skye, and contribute positively to the future of the region's land and community." Separately, Community Land Scotland earlier called for further consultation over the sale. Scottish business which worked on Liverpool's Anfield eyes growth One of Scotland's largest structural steel fabricators, which has worked on projects including the redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street railway station and Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium, is gearing up for major expansion as it celebrates its 50th anniversary. J&D Pierce Contracts, based at Glengarnock in Ayrshire and 80%-owned by Swedish investment group Storskogen, expects annual turnover to rise towards £200 million as it capitalises on 'growth in key sectors including data centres, distribution hubs, distilleries, stadia and arenas, transport infrastructure, and the social and supply chain requirements related to renewable energy'. Accounts filed with Companies House last July show the turnover of J&D Pierce Contracts was £103.8 million in the year to December 31, 2023. In recent years, J&D Pierce has supplied structural steel for high-profile construction projects across the UK, including at the Formula One racetrack at Silverstone as well as Anfield. It has also worked on the redevelopment of Edinburgh Haymarket and Dundee railway stations, as well as on the Queen Street project. Family sells renowned landmark hotel after 30 years A large-scale landmark hotel and 'cherished destination' has been sold.
Press and Journal
14-06-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Stylish modern house in historic village of Braemar hits the market
A sleek and modern house within the charming village of Braemar has hit the market. Roy Cottage is located on Kindrochit Drive in the Aberdeenshire village, which has deep links to royalty thanks to the nearby Balmoral Castle. Braemar is a historic settlement but Roy Cottage is a newly built house designed to be net zero. The house's excellent energy-efficiency is one of the highlights of the house along with its peaceful location and mountain views. Roy Cottage is currently listed with Strutt & Parker for £795,000. Inside the house, you immediately enter the open plan living room, kitchen and dining room. This spacious room has a double-height vaulted ceiling and galleried landing above. The sitting area has a woodburning stove and double-height arched windows, while French doors open out onto the patio area. From the sitting room you can marvel at views west towards Ben Macdui. The kitchen features sleek fitted units with plenty of storage, a breakfast bar and integrated appliances. Opposite the kitchen is the guest toilet and useful utility room for further home storage and appliances. Also on the ground floor is the third bedroom/family room with outdoor access via sliding doors. There is also an office space for at-home working. The first floor has two bedrooms, including the master bedroom, which has its own ensuite shower room and balcony overlooking the back garden. In addition, there is a family shower room and large storage room on this floor. The upstairs galleried landing has space for seating, offering elevated views out over the surrounding mountains. Roy Cottage was built to be a net zero house with low running costs and has achieved a rare Band A EPC rating. The house has 16 solar panels and a GivEnergy storage battery, with the electric underfloor heating running off the solar panels and an air source heat pump. Roy Cottage sits within a peaceful residential area, fenced in by woodland. At the front of the house there is a gravel parking area with space for two vehicles and access to the timber-framed shed, which could be used as a garage. The front gardens have a lawn and a patio seating area for alfresco dining. The back gardens are partially landscaped and include a further patio and gravel terracing. Braemar is a popular destination for tourists due to its proximity to Balmoral Castle and the annual Braemar Gathering.
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Scotsman
14-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Scottish island with endless shingle beaches, own ferry and herd of Highland cows for sale
'Private islands of this scale and calibre almost never come up for sale' Sign up to our History and Heritage newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Scottish island with endless shingle beaches, smugglers' coves, a herd of Highland cattle and its own ferry is looking for a new owner. Inchmarnock, which sits off the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde, is on the market for £2 million. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Strutt & Parker The island was previously transformed by former owner Lord Smith of Kelvin, the Glasgow-born businessmen who has held a number of high-profile leadership roles, including governor of the BBC. Inchmarnock was a 20-year labour of love for the peer, who raised cattle and invested in a detailed archaeological study of the island. The research found that humans first made their home their 3,500 years ago. READ MORE: Large part of Scottish island owned by famed shark hunter comes up for sale The new owner will have 662 acres of coastline, pasture and ancient woodland to play with. Included in the sale is a four-bedroom property located on the neighbouring Isle of Bute, with a ferry to get between the two properties offered at an additional price. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Port House, a four bedroom house on neighbouring Isle of Bute, is included in the sale. A private ferry is offered at an additional price to link the two properties. PIC: Strutt&Parker. | Strutt&Parker Douglas Orr, who is handling the sale for agents Strutt & Parker, said: 'Private islands of this scale and calibre almost never come up for sale. Inchmarnock is a place of natural beauty and untapped potential, offering buyers the chance to secure a private retreat, an eco-tourism project or a long-term legacy estate. 'The land is productive, the infrastructure is in place and its position make it one of the most interesting estates I've handled in recent years.' Steeped in history, Inchmarnock has been inhabited for more than 3,500 years. Its most famous archaeological discovery, the grave of a Bronze Age woman later dubbed the 'Queen of the Inch', was unearthed by a farmer ploughing the land in the 1960s. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad For a time, the island was also thought to have been a haven for smugglers, with its shingle beaches, dense woodland and rugged shoreline offering natural cover for contraband landings. Now, rich in flora and fauna, it is home to red deer, seabirds and a protected grey seal colony. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The island has been carefully managed over the past two decades, with a strong emphasis on low-impact agriculture, biodiversity and preserving the character of the island's landscape. The location supports a pedigree herd of Highland cattle, with about 366 acres of rough grazing and 188 acres of permanent pasture. The land is in year three of organic conversion and stock numbers total around 60 cows and two bulls. The Port House was originally a pair of semi-detached cottages and converted and extended at the turn of the millennium to create a comfortable mainland base. The house's shorefront setting affords it panoramic views across to Inchmarnock and the Kintyre Peninsula. It also includes a garage, boat store and exclusive use of a private slipway. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The offer to buy a private ferry to afford straightforward travel between Bute and the island was a 'rare logistical advantage', the agent said.
Scottish Sun
13-06-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Picturesque Scots island with stunning views and private ferry hits the market
Read on to find out how much the island is being sold for ISLE TAKE IT Picturesque Scots island with stunning views and private ferry hits the market Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PICTURESQUE Scottish island with stunning views and private ferry is up for sale. Inchmarnock is an exclusive island estate which sits in the Firth of Clyde, just off the west coast of the Isle of Bute. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A picturesque Scottish island has been put on the market for £2million Credit: Strutt & Parker 4 Scattered across the island are a number of traditional stone farmhouses Credit: Strutt & Parker 4 The listing includes a four-bedroom shorefront house on Bute Credit: Strutt & Parker The 662-acre island includes a working farm and a private harbour. It boasts stunning views of the Kyles of Bute, Cowal Peninsula, the northern part of the Kintyre Peninsula and the mountains of Arran. And on a clear day, you can see the coast of Ayrshire. The island is just five miles from Rothesay, 37 miles from Glasgow Airport and 46 miles from Glasgow. Inchmarnock is on the market from £2million, and the listing includes a four-bedroom shorefront house on Bute. The estate also includes a private harbour, slipway and purpose-built ferry - which is designed to transport vehicles and livestock from the island. Included within the ownership is an area of pasture currently used as a paddock, convenient for holding cattle when they are being transported from Inchmarnock for sale. There is also an operational agricultural shed with cattle handling facilities. The farm consists of a fold of Highland cattle. And scattered across the island are a number of traditional stone farmhouses and redundant steadings which are currently uninhabited. I left iconic UK seaside town to live on tiny Scottish island with just 60 people With planning permission, these have been described as having potential for residential or tourism-related redevelopment. Another particular feature of Inchmarnock is its many metres of drystone dykes which date from the 18th century. The entire estate is being offered for sale as a single lot. Estate agent Strutt and Parker dubbed Inchmarnock as a "peaceful and historic private island" that "combines an attractive shorefront house with a 660-acre island". They added: "Its location offers magnificent views in every direction and, whilst peacefully situated, it is under 40 miles and less than two hours' journey time from Glasgow city centre."
Daily Record
11-06-2025
- Daily Record
Part of remote Scottish isle once home to famed shark hunter goes up for sale
The former home of shark hunter Tex Geddes, who bought Soay with his wife Jeanne, is now up for sale along with much of the island The former home of Scotland's most famous shark hunter, along with much of the island he once ruled, has hit the market, offering a rare chance to own a piece of Hebridean legend. The property, which belonged to the late Tex Geddes, is now being sold by his family. The sale includes the house itself as well as around 1,500 acres of croftland, roughly 60 per cent of the island of Soay, located off the coast of Skye. Offers over £975,000 are being sought. Geddes, a colourful figure known as much for his exploits at sea as on land, bought the island in 1952 from naturalist Gavin Maxwell, with whom he had previously hunted basking sharks across the Hebrides. The pair operated a shark oil processing plant on Soay, harvesting the prized liver oil of the massive creatures. For over two centuries, these gentle giants were hunted in west coast waters for the commodity. Agents Strutt & Parker described the listing as an 'extremely rare opportunity', noting the property includes a 'large portion' of the island in one of the most dramatic settings in the western Highlands. 'The Island of Soay is located in one of the most dramatic settings in the western highlands, located in the middle of Loch Scavaig,' the listing reads. 'Lying in the shadow of the iconic Black Cuillin mountains of Skye to the north, the island also enjoys panoramic views to the mountains of Knoydart and Ardnamurchan in the east. The other Inner Hebridean islands of Eigg, Muck, Rhum and Canna also provide an interesting seascape to the west.' The house, a traditional stone and slate building set on the shore of Camus nan Gall, includes two public rooms downstairs and two bedrooms and a bathroom upstairs. A former meeting hall has been added to the southern gable. While the property is in need of full renovation, it sits near a cluster of buildings owned by other parties. Access to Soay is by boat from Elgol on Skye. Geddes, who died in 1998, was no ordinary islander. A former boxer, knife thrower and rum runner, he once trained at Meoble Lodge near Lochailort, a Second World War special operations base, where he met Maxwell. Their shark-hunting adventures later became the stuff of legend. In his autobiography Hebridean Sharker, Geddes recounted how they initially hunted using little more than hand harpoons: 'In retrospect some of our early hand harpoons appeared ridiculously inadequate; we might as well have tried to catch a shark with a kitchen fork.' He added: 'Should I live to be a hundred, I will never forget the sight of towing my first shark into Mallaig harbour.' Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Life on the island also inspired others. Island on the Edge, a memoir by Anne Cholawo, chronicles her decision to move to Soay from London, revealing the unique challenges and magic of life on the edge of civilisation. The land for sale includes a rich mix of pasture, rough grazing, woodland and eight named hill lochs. Agents say it offers outstanding potential for environmental and woodland schemes, as well as opportunities to enjoy the area's 'natural capital'. 'There is also a population of red deer on Soay which offers some stalking for sport and management purposes,' they added. Sailing enthusiasts may also find themselves drawn to the site, thanks to an 'extremely sheltered natural harbour' to the north east of the house.
