Elegant Scottish Country House in a Delightful Private Landscape.



Description

The property for sale extends to 96 acres and comprises the mansion house known as Auchlunkart House set in magnificent policies together with surrounding farmland and woodland. Included in the sale is the West Lodge and the former walled garden.

The estate is bounded to the south and east by areas of farmland and to the north and west by the A95 road. The house occupies a peaceful position in the centre of the estate with the Burn of Auchlunkart running though the mixed woodland policies to the rear of the house, bringing a tranquil and quintessentially Scottish aura to the property.

West Lodge is located on the western boundary, from where the private access road leads through the estate land to the main house. The walled garden lies in an elevated position just past West Lodge. Now unused, the garden was once an integral source of the home-grown produce consumed on the estate.

The wider grounds include approximately 30 acres of grass paddocks and grazing land. There is also a stand of commercial conifers of varying ages with some nearing maturity.

Location

Auchlunkart lies in a sheltered, private position 5 miles northeast of the village of Craigellachie in the heart of Scotland’s Speyside region. On the border between Moray and Aberdeenshire, the area is renowned for its fishing, whisky distilleries and serene riverine landscapes. Easily accessible but retaining its privacy on account of its natural topography, Auchlunkart offers wonderful views across its garden grounds, woodlands and pasture land.

Keith (7 miles), proclaimed as ‘the friendly town’, is a bustling and welcoming town offering a wide range of local shops and services including a supermarket, post office, a secondary and primary school and a selection of cafés and restaurants. The town is bisected by the River Isla and is the start of Scotland’s famous Malt Whisky Trail.

Aberdeen is a vibrant city with its corporate headquarters, universities and colleges, and provides all the services expected of a major city. Aberdeen has long been the Oil Capital of Scotland, with its focus having recently shifted to renewable and sustainable energy as Scotland prepares to be net zero by 2045.There are various private schools within reach of Auchlunkart, with the closest being Aberlour Preparatory School (ages 6 – 12) and Gordonstoun School (ages 13 – 18), both near Elgin (15 miles) and offering day and boarding education for boys and girls.

The area is well served by a variety of transport links. The A96 trunk road offers direct access southwards to Aberdeen, from where Aberdeen Airport at Dyce (50 miles) offers daily domestic services to some of the major cities in the UK and Europe. There are direct train links from Keith to Inverness and Aberdeen, from where there are direct services to London, including a sleeper service.

The estate is ideally positioned to take advantage of all that Scotland has to offer. For the traditional country sportsman, the season begins with salmon fishing on the River Spey, Scotland’s second longest river, on the 15th January and runs to 15th October. Stalking, grouse and pheasant shooting may be taken in season on one of the many estates in Aberdeenshire, Moray or the Highland Glens a short drive away. The Grampian Mountains, predominately to the south and west, offer spectacular walking and climbing and the opportunity to ski when conditions are favourable. To the north, the coastline of the Moray Firth draws visitors to its beaches, cliffs and water sport opportunities.

Square Footage: 11,614 sq ft


Acreage: 96 Acres

Directions

From the A96 crossing the River Isla into Keith, follow the A95 towards Craigellachie. After 4.5 miles at the hamlet of Mulben, turn off at the junction signposted for Craigellachie and remain on the A95. Continue for a further 1.7 miles where, when the road straightens after a long sweeping bend, West Lodge is on the left hand side. Take the junction at West Lodge onto the private access road into the estate.

The postcode (for sat nav purposes) is AB55 6XN.
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Additional Info

AUCHLUNKART HOUSE
The house is approached via the west drive which is flanked by West Lodge and proceeds to sweep through the estate, past the walled garden and pasture land before entering the policy woodlands. The tree-lined driveway leads to the garden grounds, stretching from the southern and western elevations of Auchlunkart House.

The entrance is situated on the southern façade, where four imposing Greek Doric columns stand on a continuous plinth, with two stone steps leading to the front door. The flagstone floored entrance vestibule leads into a hallway network, from which the entirety of the ground floor can be accessed while retaining privacy between rooms and quarters. There is no lack of space within Auchlunkart House, with numerous rooms of varying sizes and outlooks providing the opportunity to create tailored and versatile living space throughout the property.

The most imposing rooms are those to the front of the house. Boasting large bay windows, the larger of these rooms is currently used as the main drawing room, with its timber floors, decorative cornicing and open fires providing a homely, welcoming feel whilst retaining a sense of elegance and grandeur. Double solid wooden doors lead into the dining room which enjoys high ceilings, wood paneling and views through a double height bay window across the gardens to the woodland policies. With access from both the drawing room and dining room, an orangery extends southwest from the property. With stone flooring, decorative motif walling and a fully glazed roof and façade, this room invites light, warmth and colour into the house.

A sweeping stone staircase with decorative cast-iron balustrading leads from the main reception hall to the split level first floor. Occupying the southwestern wing of the first floor is the principal bedroom; with a large bay window overlooking the garden, a second sash and case window giving the room a dual aspect, wooden flooring and a fireplace.

An interconnecting door leads to a further bedroom which has potential as an en-suite or dressing room. In total, the first floor offers 8 bedrooms with various dimensions and views.

A further central staircase leads to the second floor where there are three additional bedrooms and a bathroom offering convenient space for guests and family alike.

To the rear of the main house and with separate external access are former staff quarters, which could be integrated into the family living space of Auchlunkart House or annexed to provide self-contained accommodation.

There is no doubt that Auchlunkart House requires considerable refurbishment and attention throughout to return it to its former glory, but those willing to embrace this project will be rewarded with the chance to create a splendid, statement home in a superb setting.

GARDENS & GROUNDS
Immediately to the front of the house is a sweeping garden laid to lawn, with an abundance of mature shrubs and trees, and an array of flowers bringing seasonal colours. The wider policies incorporate approximately 9 acres of mixed woodland, bringing shelter and seclusion as well as places for walking, foraging and relaxing by the Burn of Auchlunkart.

To the east of the house is a small pond. Having previously been stocked with trout and used as a flighting pond, it provides the perfect spot for a summer house in order to enjoy warm summer evenings overlooking the water.

WALLED GARDEN
The walled garden was once a thriving part of the estate. Whilst no longer in use, it offers an opportunity to be reinvigorated for growing a host of fruits and vegetables, converted into tennis courts, or even redeveloped into further residential or holiday rental properties, subject to the necessary consents.

PASTURE LAND
Auchlunkart Estate includes about 30 acres of grazing pasture land and paddocks. This land is predominately situated to the southern half of the estate, allowing for uninterrupted views across the property to the landscape beyond.

COMMERCIAL WOODLAND
Approximately 17 acres of coniferous woodland lies on the northern boundary of the estate beyond Auchlunkart House. The woodland includes young conifers in addition to stands nearing maturity which are soon ready to be felled. A felling licence is being sought, which will provide the purchaser certainty as to the ability to realise value from the timber, if so wished.

WEST LODGE
Acting as the gate lodge for the estate, the Victorian built West Lodge occupies a position on the western boundary. This Category C Listed property of white washed stone and slate construction offers accommodation over two floors, with two bedrooms, a reception room, kitchen and a bathroom. There is a small, private garden to the rear and parking space.