Cassillis is a Scottish castle on the River Doon in the South West of Scotland which was been owned by the Kennedy family since the late 13th century. Category A listed, the castle has been added to over the years – particularly in the 17th century – and has accommodation over five floors which includes 12 bedrooms and five reception rooms. The Drawing room, the Inner hall and the Dining room are particularly notable for their grand fireplaces, cast windows and fine ceiling plasterwork.
The spiral staircase is part of the original Keep of Cassillis and is built clockwise to ensure an easy defence for a right-handed swordsman. The Ballroom and adjacent Library were originally the master bedroom in the castle, but now make superb rooms for entertaining with tremendous views over the River Doon.
The original kitchen is currently in the basement, and is in need of some modernisation, as are three of the bedrooms. There are many more charming features in this once-in-a-lifetime property which date back hundreds of years including a secret staircase and an original portcullis door.
Outside are a stable block, coach house and stables cottage, as well as a traditional period lodge with two bedrooms, a gardener’s cottage and a stunning walled garden which was a market garden until 2003. A final cottage is called Kennel’s Cottage which is a traditional period cottage with a slate roof.
The grounds and gardens have been landscaped since early times but were redesigned some 250 years ago. They form a beautiful parkland setting and include some outstanding specimen trees. The total woodland area extends to around 235 acres and the trees have been carefully managed and maintained with both landscape and commercial values in mind. There is currently no formal shoot but there is good potential for a rough shoot and roe stalking.
The property also has 0.8 miles of double bank fishing for salmon and sea trout in the River Doon and an additional mile is single bank.
The castle lies seven miles from Ayr which has all day-today amenities, 10 miles from Prestwick airport and 42 miles from Glasgow making transportation easy.
The guide price is £2,500,000. For further information please contact Savills on 0131 247 3704 or visit www.savills.com.
