A castle fit for the king
THE grounds of the castle are a haven for wildlife, rich in birdsong and graced by the occasional deer strutting across the lawns. The landscape, too, is straight out of a picture book and was beautifully described in Lewis Grassic Gibbon’s trilogy-opener Sunset Song. Features include the Carron Water and an idyllic woodland valley beyond.
Yet things were not always so tranquil here at Fetteresso Castle, near Stonehaven in Kincardineshire.
The property found itself at the centre of political ferment in the period known as the first Jacobite Rising.
The ‘Old Pretender’, the father of Bonnie Prince Charlie, sought to claim the Crown for himself in 1715 and was proclaimed King James III of Britain and VIII of Scotland in the castle’s courtyard by the Earl of Mar.
It was a coup doomed to failure and anyone associated with such treason had their lands and property forfeited by the Crown. Fetteresso Castle, or Palace as it was originally called, fell into the hands of the notorious York Buildings Company, which profited from the sale of forfeited property.
By the 20th Century, Fetteresso Castle had changed hands again and was being used as a hotel before being bought by a local farmer, who dramatically altered the property. To take advantage of a loophole to avoid paying rates, he removed the roof.
Fortunately, it was rebuilt in 1993 as seven individual homes, which are surrounded by seven acres of communal grounds.
One of these is now for sale. South Range has three floors, encompassing the area once occupied by the castle’s ballroom.
Owner Fiona Collinson occasionally lets her mind wander, trying to imagine the glamorous soirées that must have taken place in her home over the centuries.
She said: ‘There’s a huge feeling of space around the house. The drawing room and dining room have windows 12ft high, which are just gorgeous.
‘It means these rooms are flooded with light because they are south-facing.
‘Sometimes you try to picture what once went on here. It may have been in the time of the hotel but people in Stonehaven tell me perhaps their aunt was taken here for afternoon tea.’
The property is in ‘move in’ condition, with a stylish interior that works beautifully with the raw stone of the castle.
High ceilings, wooden floors, huge windows and panelled doors are just some of the beautiful period hallmarks of this striking home.
A welcoming reception hallway accesses the original vaulted cellars – these are very versatile and there is definitely scope for conversion to more accommodation.
On reaching the first floor, a superb landing window has fitted seats to take full advantage of the afternoon sunlight.
The south-facing drawing room is a picture of elegance, with a splendid fireplace and a full-height window that captures the view of the surrounding landscape, which includes a 15th Century doocot and ice house.
The dining room also boasts a large south-facing window, while an upper mezzanine houses a fitted dining kitchen, which has plenty of space for informal family meals.
ON the floor above are four bedrooms, one of which is being used as a study. The master bedroom has captivating views and an en suite shower room. There is also a family bathroom on this floor. Fiona Gormley of estate agent Savills said: ‘South Range at Fetteresso Castle has been brilliantly conceived and sympathetically converted.
‘Its present owners have done a superb job in presenting the property with real panache and yet with great respect for the historic origins of the building.
‘It’s definitely one to view in person.’
Offers over £475,000 to Fiona Gormley of Savills. Call 01224 971 122 or email fogormley@savills.com.