7 Scottish castles that are almost affordable (thanks in part to Brexit)
The immediate aftermath of June’s shock Brexit result saw the pound crash to lows not seen in 30 years against the dollar, which means investing in prime pieces of Scotland's history just got that much more affordable (for Americans, at least).
Although the prospect of a second Scottish referendum on independence may temper the future, here are seven castles to dream on now.
Earlshall Castle, Fife
Price upon request 10 Bedrooms 6 Bathrooms 53 Acres
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Earlshall Castle is promoted as one of the best-kept 16th century houses in Scotland and comes with its own library and billiard room and is home to a renowned Sir Robert Lorimer-designed walled garden.
According to Savills—the agents handling the sale—Earlshall is believed to have taken its name from the site of a hunting lodge owned by the Earls of Fife, relatives of Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland.
One of the castle’s highlights is the 50-foot Long Gallery, which bares the coats of arms of the principal noble families of Scotland, painted with black and gray tempera.
Duchray Castle, Stirling
£1.75 million ($2.3 million) 4 Bedrooms 4 Bathrooms, 3 additional WCs 80 Acres
Duchray Castle traces its history back to the 16th century and sits in the middle of 80 acres of its own grounds, which features a gate lodge, stables, tennis court, and 12 miles of fishing rights.
A full refurbishment was carried out by the present owners in 2010, using local materials where possible.
Tower of Lethendy, Perthshire
£4.6 million ($6.1 million) 8 Bedrooms 7 Bathrooms 39 Acres
Tower of Lethendy, as it it stands today, incorporates the original laird's house dating from about 1570. Later parts of the house were built in Scottish Baronial style. With award-winning stonework and recent modernization, the multi-turreted property is a comfortable family home.
Along with an outdoor heated pool and two tennis courts, golf enthusiasts will appreciate its very own (and challenging) 18-hole course.
Orchil Castle, Perthshire
£1.45 million ($1.9 million) 7 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 21 Acres
Orchil Castle is set on 21 acres of parkland with panoramic views over its own loch and the Ochil Hills.
The property has good access to the Highlands, with hill walking, mountaineering, and skiing all available to the north. The world-renowned Gleneagles Hotel, with two-Michelin-starred dining, is just six miles away.
Cleish Castle, Kinross-shire
£1.5 million ($2 million) 8 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 26 Acres
Cleish Castle is a 16th century tower house of which the origins are uncertain, but the first recorded owner was the Meldrum family. The current owners purchased Cleish in 1993 and have set out on a comprehensive restoration of the castle and grounds.
Each floor is linked by a spiral staircase, one the most impressive features of the castle.
The estate's gardens, which have been restored over the past 20 years, were originally laid out in the early 1600s.
Balbegno Castle, Aberdeenshire
£595,000 ($790,000) 6 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 20 Acres
Owned by the family of four-time British Prime Minister William Gladstone, Balbegno Castle is part of a large Scottish estate that is on the market as a whole for £9.3 million ($12.3 million), or split into 28 lots, of which this is one.
Of particular note is the castle’s Great Hall, which has a vaulted stone ceiling depicting the coats of arms of 13 Scottish peers.
Craigcrook Castle, Edinburgh
£6 million ($8 million) 6 Bedrooms 5 Bathrooms 4 Acres
The Grade-B-listed Craigcrook Castle—which means it is of regional, not just local importance and/or is a major examples of a particular period or style—is situated on 4.4 acres and is just three miles from the center of Edinburgh. The property is being offered for sale for the first time in nearly 300 years.
The sale brochure states that the castle was first built in 1542 and extensively remodeled in 1835.
The sellers comment that the building has strong links to the literary world, including visits by Sir Walter Scott, Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Anderson, George Eliot, and Alfred Lord Tennyson.
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