A spectacular 886-acre estate that puts rewilding at its heart is up for sale to the northeast of the Cairngorms National Park.
Beldorney Estate includes the striking 16th century Beldorney Castle, built by the Gordon family, one of the most influential clans in the region at the time. It is one of the earliest Z plan castles in the north east of Scotland and is bound to catch the eye of architecture buffs.
The Aberdeenshire estate is on the market for £5,000,000 via Strutt & Parker.
Beldorney Castle has been developed over the years, including the addition of two wings in 1679 and remodelling in 1713, when coved ceilings and bolection-moulded chimney pieces were introduced. It has also (thankfully) been restored and upgraded in more recent years too.
Still, it’s not lost its historic charm and there are ‘fragmentary remains’ of original wall and ceiling paintings, according to Strutt & Parker.
The castle boasts enormous and atmospheric reception rooms. The Grand Hall is quite a spectacle with pitch pine panelling, as is the Upper Hall, with a beamed, vaulted ceiling. In fact, there are quite a few vaulted rooms around here.
But there’s a (slightly) more low-key side to the castle too: a kitchen, dining room, two drawing rooms, cloak room, utility room and dressing room. Bold-painted walls are the order of the day in many of these rooms.
The castle has five bedrooms, with a further two in a self-contained apartment in the south wing.
Like most estates of this scale and stature, Beldorney Estate comes with an assortment of other buildings: two stone cottages, a farmhouse, and several outbuildings.
But what of the land itself? Well, it’s dominated by grassland. But there’s also woodland, wetland, and heathland and scrub.
Robert McCulloch, Head of Strutt & Parker’s Estates & Farm Agency Department in Scotland, says: ‘The chance to own a Scottish castle will carry an undeniable allure with buyers, offering a blend of history, prestige, and architectural beauty.
‘However, its diverse landscape and location on the River Deveron provide much more than just scenic value – they present a meaningful opportunity to contribute to nature recovery and support community development.’
If you're a serious buyer, it’s worth noting that Highlands Rewilding, the owner of Beldorney Estate, is on the lookout for a buyer or an investor who shares its vision.
McCulloch explains: ‘Although the sale is open to a broad range of potential buyers, preference will be given to those who align with Highlands Rewilding’s vision for the estate's future and are willing to enter into a long-term management agreement to allow Highlands Rewilding to continue to manage the land. It is a rare chance to invest in a property with both historical and ecological significance.’
Beldorney Estate is on the market for £5,000,000 via Strutt & Parker — see more details and pictures.
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
3,000 pristine acres of Loch Lomond National Park, where red squirrels roam spectacular woodland, have come up for sale
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston MartinA new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
-
Tuning in with the past: Monk music will ring out for the first time since the Dissolution after medieval manuscript is rediscoveredBuckland Abbey once thronged with monks who sang for hours every day. Now, some of their newly rediscovered medieval music will ring out once more.
-
'The city has always held an important creative space within our design studio': A luxury townhouse in Tokyo, courtesy of Aston Martin
A new four-storey property in the Omotesandō district is the first single home private residence by the British ultra-luxury performance brand.
-
The Mediterranean Magic of MaltaWith historic charm, picture-perfect beaches and a welcoming approach to newcomers, Malta represents an appealing option for Mediterranean property hunters. Holly Kirkwood reports.
-
Four country houses with their own tennis courts, as seen in Country LifeIf Wimbledon has put you in the mood for more tennis, Annunciata Elwes is here with a selection of homes with their own tennis courts.
-
The majestic New Forest estate formerly owned by a billionaire adventurer — famous for driving 'the world's fastest kettle' — has come up for saleGreat estates in the unspoilt setting of the New Forest are always a welcome sight on the market, and Newton Park is a wonderful example with a sad story to tell. Anna White tells more.
-
A Hampshire Manor for sale that dates back to the days of Alfred the Great, with the most beautiful staircase we've seen in yearsThe ten bedroom property features an indoor swimming pool, jacuzzi, spa complex and stables, and it was restored by the same architect who worked on Downing Street.
-
The new property hotspots where you can have it all: Beautiful houses, great schools and idyllic lifestyleAcross the country people are selling up and heading to the towns where there's no compromise on dream homes, outstanding schooling and the good life, according to analysis from two of Britain's top estate agents. Anna White explains.
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villasMatthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the marketThe Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
