Anyone embarking on the restoration of a dilapidated historic house needs staying power and a well-honed sense of humour, as Allan Duguid and his wife, Jacqueline, discovered when, in 2009, they bought the secluded, 245-acre Straloch House estate near Newmachar, 10 miles from Aberdeen, five miles from the city’s airport, and for sale with a £2.95m price tag via Galbraith.
Once part of a 6,000-acre estate, at its heart stood Category A-listed Straloch House, a handsome, classically symmetrical Georgian mansion, built in about 1780 on the site of the former castle of Straloch and by then in need of serious renovation.
Undaunted, the Duguids installed themselves in the west wing as they set about repairing the roof of the 13,000sq ft main house and its matching wings, installing new central heating and new timber windows throughout, followed by a complete refurbishment of the interior.
It was a massive operation that took five years to complete, and, today, Straloch House is again a pristine country house with a total of three main reception rooms, 15 bedrooms, a billiards room and a gym.
The results — as these pictures show — speak for themselves, but the agents put it rather well in their listing: 'The entire scope of work has been completed to an exceptional standard, for which Straloch House and its stature deserves, thus allowing any potential buyer of Straloch House Estate the rare opportunity to acquire a historic mansion house in impeccable condition.'
The grounds are equally worthy of mention, surrounding the house with rolling wooded grounds, well-tended lawns, and a two-acre walled garden. It means that Straloch House can be home to Mr and Mrs Duguid, their two daughters and grandchildren, each family having their own separate domain.
Now, following Mr Duguid’s retirement, the time has come to downsize, and the Straloch House Estate is for sale through Galbraith in Aberdeen.
Straloch House is for sale at offers over £2.95m via Galbraith — see more details and pictures.
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
-
Quiz of the Day: Rick Astley's breakthrough hit, Picasso vs. Van Gogh and guess the country house priceHave a go at our Quiz of the Day. Good luck!
-
A wetsuit room, fingerprint entry and coastal views from all the principal rooms: Is this the ultimate Cornish holiday home?Sitting pretty overlooking Polzeath Beach in North Cornwall, Megizzy’s spectacular views, contemporary design and well thought out features are hard to beat.
-
A wetsuit room, fingerprint entry and coastal views from all the principal rooms: Is this the ultimate Cornish holiday home?
Sitting pretty overlooking Polzeath Beach in North Cornwall, Megizzy’s spectacular views, contemporary design and well thought out features are hard to beat.
-
Inside Audrey Hepburn's exquisite Alpine retreatViews of the mountains, 40 acres of gardens and grounds and 10,000 sq ft La Paisible is a subtle yet spacious country home.
-
A gorgeously-secluded country home just outside Sevenoaks with world-class equestrian facilitiesBroomsleigh Park is a seven-bedroom delight, with 18 acres of gardens, that has just undergone an extensive restoration.
-
A quirkily exotic townhouse for sale that is the former home of Edwin Lutyens' nephewThe rich architectural tradition of One Port Hill is improved on by its current owners to create a family home of real excitement and fun.
-
Thatched perfection in a three-bedroom cottage near ChichesterThe Thatched Cottage in Nutbourne does everything it says on the tin, and a bit more.
-
Five palatial mansions for sale, including one with its own private swimming lake, as seen in Country LifeSometimes bigger really is better.
-
Gaze over Cap Ferrat in this four-bedroom French villaIgnore the wind and the rain. Imagine yourself in this hillside home with some of the best views the Mediterranean can offer.
-
Classical style meets fun and flair in a seven-bedroom manor in CornwallAt Polstrong Manor, the current owners have combined period charm and elegant modern interiors to create a flamboyant country home 10-minutes from the beach.
