Gem fashioned by the king of diamonds
Mining chief’ s mansion in hometown has unbeatable views
THERE’S why this more could than be described one reason a gem of a property – it was built by a Scot who ran diamond mines in South Africa. Hugh Cowan was an illiterate stonemason when he left Oban to seek his fortune during the reign of Queen Victoria.
When Cowan returned to Argyll in the late 19th Century, it was as chairman of the Central Diamond Mining Company, one of the biggest employers in South Africa.
Cowan built his baronial mansion around 1890 atop one of Oban’s rolling hills on the site of the Craigard Hotel, which had been partially destroyed by fire.
He called it Kimberley House, after his famous diamond mine half a world away.
Quite what he made of the neighbouring construction which went up a few years later is anyone’s guess. Another Oban businessman named McCaig built a mini Colosseum as a lasting tribute to his family but today it is commonly known as McCaig’s Folly for its incongruous appearance.
At least Cowan could take some comfort from the fact another driver behind the folly was the wish to provide work in hard times for the town’s stonemasons.
More than a century on, the house now named Greystones sits in the safe hands of Suzanne and Mark McPhillips, both former architects who have transformed the B-listed property into a chic and successful upmarket B&B.
From its window in the turreted dining room you can consume one of the finest views in all of the West Coast of Scotland, the gorgeous Oban Bay.
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She said: ‘The bedroom above the dining room, which is also within the turret, is our most popular with guests. My own favourite room is the entrance hall.
‘One of Mr Cowan’s descendants paid us a visit a few years back. She told us that Mr Cowan took in the children of his poor brother in Glasgow and raised them here.
‘She told great tales of the parties they would have, with adults and children dancing up and down the entrance hall.’
The owners have opted for a cool, modern look that sits well within the period property. They have made five en suite bedrooms available to guests through their refurbishment programme, with four more yet to be upgraded. The opportunity to exploit the building’s potential as a major retreat of rest and relaxation is glaringly obvious. Greystones is fully booked between May and October, with guests arriving from America, Germany, Japan, China and Russia. The couple are happy to share their trading information with prospective purchasers but Greystones could also work beautifully if someone wished to return it to a family residence.
Gorgeous period features are evident everywhere, from the acorns carved into the wooden staircase to the knights in armour embedded in the stained glass windows. But the sleek, modern kitchen is also particularly appealing, accompanied by a laundry room and plant rooms.
Greystones was chosen as the new name for the property as the owners say it reflects the colour of uncut diamonds. It is clearly a property you’ll take a shine to.
Offers over £1.1 million to Coralie Pickering of CCL Property. Tel 01343 610520 or email info@cclproperty.com.