PAST PARTICIPANT
Illieston Castle is a property with history in abundance.
IF
the walls of ancient Illieston Castle could speak, what stories they would tell.
The magnificent tower house, which dates back to the 15th Century, was once the retreat of royalty.
Linked to Linthligow Palace, the Illieston – which sits in 20 acres of land – was a favourite haunt of Stuart Kings James II and James IV who hunted here during their respective reigns from 14371460 and 1473-1513.
Today the castle – near Broxburn, just 10 miles from Edinburgh in beautiful West Lothian – is the home of company director Nicholas Schellenberg, his actress wife Yelena and their four children aged 17, 11, 5 and 2.
They sold homes in Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire to buy Illieston in 2007 and immediately began restoration work. It included new heating and wiring, roof repairs, attic conversions and repointing.
They also installed a biomass boiler and solar panels among other ‘green’ measures.
The Schellenbergs – who have hosted hundreds of holidaymakers from around the world with their Airbnb business which includes bell tents, a bothy and a room in the castle – are bubbling with enthusiasm when the iN10 calls.
Nicholas, 52, beams: “This is an exceptional place. The kings of Scotland used to come here for their hunting and fishing. We have a breath-taking valley, a lovely wood, and we’re close to the River Almond with the rights to salmon and sea trout fishing.
“But we are very close to the M9 and M8 motorways – and only three traffic light stops from Edinburgh airport.”
The Tower House has had a string of grand owners over the centuries, having once been gifted to Lord Hamilton as a prize for rescuing the Earl of Menteith from capture at Pontyfract Castle.
In the 1660s it was home to leading advocate John Ellis who carried out major alterations and constructed the elegant gateway that bears his initials.
It was then back in Hamilton hands where it remained until 1765 when ownership passed to the Earl of Hopetoun. Later, in the 1850s, notable architect William Burn carried out renovations at the castle before it was bought about
100 years on by the Brownlee family who still farm its lands.
The approach to this place is the stuff of dreams. Its treelined avenue and intricate baroque gates open into a gravelled courtyard.
Visitors are met with crowstepped gables and a large, wooden front door that ultimately opens into a welcoming hall.
Inside Nicholas and Yelena have created a captivating and comfortable interior, suitable for modern living but without compromise to its rich, period features.
Its expansive, dual aspect dining room oozes original details and offers lovely river and woodland views. This floor also houses a snug and a large kitchen.
From the ground floor a stone spiral staircase leads to the first floor which houses a master bedroom, a double bedroom and a bathroom as well as the recently renovated King’s room – a second drawing room also with spectacular views.
Three further charming bedrooms are set on the second floor, along with a family bathroom, while a second set of spiral stairs leads up to a small turret room, currently used as a study and spare bedroom.
This comes with a bothy, a garden studio and a garden shed, along with a coach house and pavilion and two paddocks.
But its owners are preparing to leave the castle they love and Illieston is on the market with Savills for offers over £950,000.
Nicholas says: “We have decided to move closer to the children’s school in Clackmannanshire. It is very sad to leave this wonderful family home but it is always important to recognise that you are never an owner, only a custodian.”