Midmar Castle dates from many different eras, but it’s accepted widely that the square tower dates from around 1411 and the main tower from 1565, with further additions and renovations over the years which followed. The castle was most likely built by the then Governor of Scotland Sir William Wallace as a hunting lodge for his friend Sir Thomas Lonsdale.
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The property is built in the traditional defensive Z plan and is based around three towers, one square and two circular and includes some incredible features attributed to the famous and remarkable granite masons of the Mid-Mar school who operated in the 16th century; some of the decorative stone masonry is extremely fine. More recently the castle has undergone considerable restoration with the help of Historic Scotland to help bring the property into the modern era without destroying any of its considerable charm.
Accommodation
The accommodation roughly comprises hall with wide stone staircase, vaulted dining hall, gun room, kitchen, conservatory, laundry, vaulted workshops, great hall, snooker room, office, study, staff quarters, ten bedrooms and three bathrooms. Midmar Castle was featured in Country Life in 1912, 1945 and 1986.
Outside the castle has five acres of parkland surrounding it with fine mature trees. To the east is a 16th century high walled garden of just over an acre entered by a gate in the wall underneath an old Yew tree which has a fruit garden at the bottom.
To the north east is a two storey garden house and apple store and recessed bee skeps along the north wall and the gardens to the south are laid to lawn with a mature grove of Beech and Lime trees and a second, more private, walled garden from the same date as the main garden.
The rest of the estate is made up of Craidsbannoch Farm which extends to around 140 acres of productive arable/grassland which encircles the castle. The farmhouse and steading are of traditional design. This property has two bedrooms, bathroom, sitting room and kitchen and is occupied by the farm manager and his family.
Deer stock
The castle is also home to a world-famous closed herd of deer for breeding stock and trophies. The farm has successfully exported deer all over the world and in 2007 sold the record stag with 50 points to a Middle Eastern buyer. The deer stock are included in the sale.
Shooting rights
A lease exists to shoot over the adjoining Forestry Commission land which entends to over 1300 acres and Roe deer stalking is currently sublet on an annual basis to a local syndicate.
The castle also contains an extensive and varied collection of antiques, arms and armour which includes longarms, pistols, polearms, armour, crossbows, swords, daggers, chainmail, and much more as well as a number of antique bronze cannons. In addition to this re much fine antique furniture pieces, artifacts and paintings including some old masters and the majority of these contents will be included in the sale. A full inventory will be made available to interested parties.
The property also includes a Barony meaning the owner will become the ‘Baron of Midmar’. Its situation is wonderfully easy to reach: the castle is just 16 miles from Aberdeen and its international airport and also 15 miles from Banchory to the south.
The guide price for Midmar Castle is £5m. For further information please contact Knight Frank on 0131 222 9600 or visit www.knightfrank.co.uk.
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