Scottish estate steeped in clan history put up for sale
Armadale Castle Estate on the Isle of Skye is centred around the dramatic ruins of a 19th century Gothic mansion.
It is being marketed for sale by Strutt & Parker at offers over £2.76 million as a whole, or in seven lots.
Robert McCulloch, Strutt & Parker's head of estate and farm agency in Scotland, said: "Armadale is a place of rare character and heritage.
"It has the grandeur: the ruined turrets, the ancient trees, the views that stretch across the Sound of Sleat - but is also one of the Isle of Skye's most established and internationally recognised tourist attraction and associated businesses."
The estate from above. (Image: Strutt & Parker) The castle, which forms the centrepiece of the estate, is the historic seat of the Macdonalds of Sleat, "one of the largest and most powerful of the Highland clans historically".
The first recorded reference to a house at Armadale is from 1690, when the Royal Navy shelled the site to bring the Jacobite Sir Donald Macdonald of Sleat to heel. A new mansion was constructed in the 1790s, with a grand Tudor-Gothic wing added in 1815 by James Gillespie Graham.
Today, the estate is operated by a charitable trust as a well-established visitor destination, welcoming thousands of visitors each year. It includes a purpose-built visitor centre, which houses the Museum of the Isles, together with the former stable block which includes a pair of self-contained apartments, café/restaurant which can be used as 'well-appointed venue for functions and events, and associated offices and utilitarian space'.
The agent said: 'This is complemented by Armadale Gardens, which extends to around 40 acres of formal Victorian planting with specimen trees and rare conifers laid out across terraces and wooded walks.
'The wider estate includes Armadale House, a secluded period five-bedroom family-sized home and former head gardener's house; the converted Stables used for accommodation and hospitality; and Forester's Cottage, tucked among the trees, and six self-catering cabins with spectacular sea views.
'The land itself totals approximately 359 acres combining mixed species woodland and enclosed pasture on a gently sloping ground with a southeasterly aspect and magnificent views."
The agent added "In addition to Armadale Castle Estate, the adjoining South Sleat Estate – extending to over 19,000 acres and also owned by the Clan Donald Lands Trust is for sale at offers over £6.75m. A further cottage with development land is available for sale as an addition to Armadale Castle or South Sleat estates. The availability for sale of these estates offers purchasers of wide range and varying budget a fantastic opportunity to own either a small or a large part of the famous Isle of Skye, and contribute positively to the future of the region's land and community."
Separately, Community Land Scotland earlier called for further consultation over the sale.
Scottish business which worked on Liverpool's Anfield eyes growth
One of Scotland's largest structural steel fabricators, which has worked on projects including the redevelopment of Glasgow Queen Street railway station and Liverpool FC's Anfield stadium, is gearing up for major expansion as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
J&D Pierce Contracts, based at Glengarnock in Ayrshire and 80%-owned by Swedish investment group Storskogen, expects annual turnover to rise towards £200 million as it capitalises on 'growth in key sectors including data centres, distribution hubs, distilleries, stadia and arenas, transport infrastructure, and the social and supply chain requirements related to renewable energy'.
Accounts filed with Companies House last July show the turnover of J&D Pierce Contracts was £103.8 million in the year to December 31, 2023.
In recent years, J&D Pierce has supplied structural steel for high-profile construction projects across the UK, including at the Formula One racetrack at Silverstone as well as Anfield. It has also worked on the redevelopment of Edinburgh Haymarket and Dundee railway stations, as well as on the Queen Street project.
Family sells renowned landmark hotel after 30 years
A large-scale landmark hotel and 'cherished destination' has been sold.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
.jpeg%3Fwidth%3D1200%26auto%3Dwebp%26quality%3D75%26crop%3D3%3A2%2Csmart%26trim%3D&w=3840&q=100)
Scotsman
an hour ago
- Scotsman
New restaurant Patatino which blends Italian cuisine with Scottish produce to open in Edinburgh
A new restaurant where Italian classics meet local Scottish produce is set to open in Haymarket at the beginning of next month. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Patatino is set to open its doors at The Hoxton in Edinburgh and will offer residents the chance to sample unique creations which blend local Scottish food culture with traditional southern Italian dishes. The restaurant, whose name comes from the Italian for 'little potato', is set to open on July 1 and to celebrate the grand opening, customers dining at Patatino from July 1 to 6 can enjoy 50 per cent off food. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The menu features a range of dishes, from antipasti, pasta and pizzas to beef and seafood cooked over hot coals. Guests can also tuck into classic Italian desserts and an extensive cocktail menu. Among the creative offerings is a sourdough pizza topped with 'Nduja, Haggis, Jalapeño, Hot Honey and Fior di Latte. Patatino will open at The Hoxton, Edinburgh, on July 1 | Patatino The restaurant is also offering wholesome Scottish dishes sourced by quality suppliers such as John Vallance fishmongers providing Scottish langoustines, and John Gilmour Butchers sourcing grass-fed beef from sustainable Scottish farms. Among the wide selection of drinks on offer are 'House Special' negronis, which are finished tableside, as well as gins, grappas, and an extensive wine list sorted by Italian region. The restaurant will be accessible via The Hoxton hotel lobby, with a dedicated street entrance styled after an Italian trattoria adorned with striped awning and dramatic florals. Reservations are now open online, and can also be made by phone. Opening hours are 5pm until 9:30pm Monday to Saturday and 12pm until 6pm on Sundays.
The National
2 hours ago
- The National
Independence campaigners react to John Swinney speech on independence
The First Minister insisted in a speech in Edinburgh on Tuesday that independence was 'within reach' and said the constitutional question was the 'defining choice for this generation'. But the SNP leader's comments, which come before a big party meeting this weekend, have been met with frustration from some corners of the independence movement. Robin McAlpine (below), head of strategic development at the Common Weal think tank, told The National: 'It is a truth universally acknowledged that an SNP leader in possession of an approaching party conference must be in want of a boilerplate speech about independence. It is the SNP National Council this weekend so regular as clockwork, here is the speech.' He added: 'As a professional political strategist I can tell you that you don't get to demand space in the political agenda, you need to earn space by having something to say that people want to hear, and that this isn't it. 'But you will have your own tolerance levels for how much longer this can go on with us pretending this is an adequate response. I doubt me telling you it is not will change much.' READ MORE: John Swinney launches report showing Scotland 'must take charge of own destiny' Kenny MacAskill, leader of the Alba Party, dismissed the speech as a 'damp squib'. He said: 'What we needed and what SNP activists, members and supporters are crying out for was a clear vision and action on independence what we got from the First Minister was a damp squib. 'The First Minister said that 'independence is the defining choice' facing the Scottish people but he has yet to set out the positive difference independence will make and back that aspiration with the political will to achieve it. 'Independence is not a nice to do at some point in the future; it is absolutely essential to save our manufacturing industry, prevent further closures and job losses and to deliver lower energy prices for people and businesses. John Swinney needs to pursue independence with the urgency that is required.' MacAskill reiterated calls for the SNP leader to contest next year's Holyrood election as an unofficial vote on independence, adding: 'John Swinney must unite the pro-independence parties and the wider independence movement by declaring that a majority of votes cast on the list for pro-independence parties will be the mandate for independence. 'Only then can he re-energise the independence campaign, put the fuel back in the tank and motivate independence supporters in the country.'
Glasgow Times
2 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans
They've also called on the Scottish Government to reverse the approval, which will see the building of a nine-story mixed-use development. The Glasgow School of Art has also called on Ministers to refuse the plans, stating that the approval "places their commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk." The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17, and a vote of eight to two approved the plans. Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said, "I am really disappointed by the Planning Committee's decision to allow this proposal to go through. "It is a very poor design, and I feel the developers have pushed boundaries, submitting revised plans that, while seemingly minor, collectively have created a situation where the planning department had little option but to approve this development. Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans (Image: Vita Group) "The Committee seemed to have reservations about the proposals, but were more concerned about leaving the area undeveloped. "Glasgow City Council has missed a trick here. There was an opportunity to create something truly special on this site. "The Scottish Government needs to step in and overturn this decision. "Mackintosh and Glasgow deserves better." READ MORE: Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation READ MORE: 'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan READ MORE: O2 ABC site owners clash with Glasgow School of Art Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, echoed Stuart's disappointment at the approval. He said: "Given the acknowledged negative impact on Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art, Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's Grecian Chambers (now the CCA) and the Glasgow Central Conservation Area more broadly, I think this is a disappointing outcome for Glasgow's heritage. "Nevertheless, we live in a democracy, and the councillors on the Planning Applications Committee decided that the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street was more important to Glasgow. I must respect their decision. "Given the issues of national significance raised by Historic Environment Scotland, it will be interesting to see if Scottish Ministers call it in." The approved proposal (Image: Vita Group) Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, also called on the government to reverse the approval. She said: "The objection by Historic Environment Scotland does now require the approval by Glasgow City Council to be referred to Scottish Ministers. "We hope that Ministers taking cognisance of the significant impact to the internationally important Mackintosh Building and its rebuilding, will exercise their powers purposefully, acknowledging that the setting, character and function of the Mackintosh Building is unacceptably compromised." Stuart Robertson previously told us that the proposal was "so depressing" and was not swayed by anything said in today's meeting. Stuart added: "As highlighted in my previous comments, this development is vastly over-scaled and does not meet development plan policy. "This approval places the commitment to the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building at significant risk and will set a dangerous precedent for our built heritage. "Look at the M&S development. After securing planning permission, the developer puts it on the market. We could see the same happen here. "The student housing sector needs to have a more robust public oversight. "Rather than relying on speculative delivery and developer-led policy formation, it may be time to reassert a civic-led approach that places the needs of communities, students, and heritage on an equal footing." The cast iron pieces will be displayed in the new building (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) Niall found a silver lining in one of the conditions set: that part of the portico of the O2 ABC would be displayed to the public in the development. He said: "On the positive side, I welcome the amended condition to see the incorporation of the Walter Macfarlane cast iron screen from the former ABC Cinema within the proposed development. "It will be interesting to see how the screen will be respectfully installed given the constrained height within the new building; however, it is a significant artefact with regards to Glasgow's cast iron technologies and has strong social value too. "Therefore, it being back on public display once more is worth celebrating."
