The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Thin Lizzy star’s lodge drumming up interest
Highland mansion comes with rock glamour
AHighlandmansionwhich was the home of a wellknown rock drummer has goneonthemarket for over £625,000.
Torcastle overlooking Loch Ness was renovated from an old shooting lodge by the late Thin Lizzy drummer Michael Lee.
Lee, best known for his work with Led Zeppelin duo Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, bought the property in the late 1990s with the aim of turning it into a castle with five turrets. Lee joined Plant and Page for a series of songwriting sessions in 1997. The result of these was the 1998 studio albumWalking into Clarksdale. He is credited not only as the drummer but as a co-songwriter on all 12 tracks.
He died in 2008 aged 39, after suffering a seizure.
Lee sold the castle in 2004 and the current owners finished the renovation work he started.
Selling agents CKD Galbraith said the property, which sits in two acres of grounds, offers buyers the “perfect combination of a stunning rural retreat with added rock glamour”.
The accommodation is provided over two floors with interesting features including spiral staircases and a sunken circular whirlpool bath inoneof the turrets. The property is also
“Properties of this nature rarely come on to the market”
self-sufficient in energy production with its own wind turbine and solar panels with back-up generator.
Phiddy Robertson of CKDGalbraith, said yesterday: “Torcastle presents a fantastic opportunity to purchase a truly unique Highland retreat offering modern- day living in a spectacular Scottish setting.
“This former shooting lodge was completely renovated to offer generous family accommodation of the highest standard.
“Properties of this nature rarely come on to the market and we expect a lot of interest from prospective buyers.”
Lee was introduced to the area by Page who owned nearby Boleskine House, a former home of Aleister Crowley, an English occultist, author, painter and mountaineer.
Although Lee didn’t see his turreted dream turn in to reality, he spent considerable time at the property and used the stone barn lying to the west of the house as a recording studio.