For sale: Tycoon’s eco-friendly home could be yours for £7.5m
IT was built for the family of a future princess before it was unceremoniously razed to the ground and replaced with a futuristic eco-home for a building tycoon and his family.
Now one of Scotland’s most spectacular private homes has been launched on to the market at offers over £7.5 million and could become the most expensive house ever sold in the country.
Built on the site of the former home of the late Princess Diana’s grandmother, Dalhebity House in the Aberdeen suburb of Bieldside, is building tycoon Stewart Milne’s family home and is the most expensive residential property currently available on Scotland’s open market.
The most expensive home is Seton Castle in East Lothian, which recently sold for £8m.
The estate is certainly fit for a royal as it boasts a grand reception hall, four reception rooms, eight informal rooms and eight bedroom suites.
It also has a staff apartment complex with three en-suite bedrooms, a spa complex, indoor swimming pool, all-weather tennis court and garage block.
The new Dalhebity House was created by Mr Milne and his partner Joanna Robertson with a team of architects and craftsmen in 2009.
Mr Milne, who recently retired and put his eponymous building company up for sale, was granted permission to knock down his stately home and replace it with a £1m eco-friendly house in 2007.
The former chairman of Aberdeen FC is going to spend his retirement at his other home in Perthshire.
However, there was opposition to the plan from members of Aberdeen City Council’s planning committee and it was only with the casting vote of convener Scott Cassie that the application was approved by eight votes to seven.
Members voiced concerns over the loss of 25 mature trees and the destruction of a house which was part of Aberdeen’s heritage. Many were surprised that the eight-bedroom Dalhebity House was not a listed building.
The construction team gave a nod to its royal past by creating exquisite period-style features and detailing, from curved wood panelling, marquetry, veneers, carvings and intricate plasterwork to a stained glass cupola and elaborate fireplaces.
There is also a marble floored reception hall, 20 marble columns, with grand marble central sweeping horseshoe staircase and domed stained glass cupola. Also included is a formal banqueting-style dining room that can seat 26, a library, and a custom-made walnut kitchen.
Diana’s maternal grandmother, Baroness Fermoy, also known as Ruth Roche, was born at Dalhebity House to wealthy Scottish landowners.
She was also a close friend and confidant to the Queen Mother, and acted as a lady in waiting.
Diana’s paternal grandmother, Cynthia Spencer, was also a lady in waiting for the Queen Mother.
Dalhebity House lies west of Aberdeen city and is nestled in 10 acres of its own grounds
Bieldside is the most upmarket of Aberdeen’s suburbs and sits on the main road from the city to Royal Deeside. The area offers salmon fishing on the River Dee and the area boasts numerous golf courses, with Deeside golf club around two miles away.
Upstairs in Dalhebity House is an upper gallery creatively designed with various relaxing zones, which include a cocktail bar and reading lounge, while the stylish bedroom suites are all the height of luxury.
The spa element at Dalhebity House is luxurious in every way, with sauna and steam rooms along with treatment, massage and relaxation rooms featuring beautiful mosaic tiling, while offering access to the indoor swimming pool.
Outside, a European-style internal courtyard provides a sheltered sun trap, while the entrance to the grounds is via a long tree-lined drive. Expanses of lawn stretch from paved terraces and other features of the grounds include a breeze hut with deck and kitchen, summerhouse and all-weather tennis court.
Savills’ Fiona Gormley said:
“The sheer scale and finish of this sumptuous house is hugely impressive and yet the clever design and layout mean the space does not overwhelm: informal and supremely comfortable family rooms balance with wonderful entertaining areas. “A modern-built house of this stature is unique in Scotland and it’s an extraordinary achievement. “A new owner can be confident of a private setting and yet first-class airport and city accessibility too.”