A historic Aberdeenshire estate once owned by a British Prime Minister’s family will come onto the market today priced at more than £9 million.
Fasque Estate, near Fettercairn, was once owned by the family of four-time Prime Minister William Gladstone.
The 6,000-acre estate, which includes a recently renovated A-listed six-bedroom castle, is being offered for sale in 28 lots or as a whole for offers over £9,320,000.
It offers driven grouse and pheasant shooting, duck flighting and trout fishing.
Owner Charles Gladstone, who is co-founder of the popular Good Life Experience festival at his Welsh estate each September, said: “Fasque has been part of our family for generations and we are very sad to let it go.
“In particular, I am immensely proud of the work we have done to Balbegno Castle and the house it is today.
“However, we do not live there and cannot do justice to it or the estate. We feel the time has come to move on and allow a new owner to take it on and nurture it in a way we are unable to do.”
Bought by the Gladstone family in 1829, the estate passed to William Gladstone’s brother, Sir Thomas.
The Prime Minister is said to have loved Fasque and visited as often as he could, often walking the 15 miles from Banchory Station in Deeside to the estate.
The principal property on the estate – Balbegno Castle – is set in about 21 acres of gardens, grounds and parkland.
Of particular note is the castle’s Great Hall, which has a vaulted stone ceiling depicting the coats of arms of 13 Scottish peers – there were originally 14 but one was removed after a fall out with the peer in question.
Comprising 32 houses and cottages, estate and farm buildings, productive agricultural land, about 2,335 acres of grouse moors, commercial forestry, amenity woods, a renowned pheasant shoot and Christmas tree plantations, the lots vary from offers over £45,000 to £2,150,000.
Robert McCulloch of Strutt & Parker, who is part of the team handling the sale, said: “Coming so soon after the EU Referendum vote, the launch of Fasque Estate will be a test of the market and it will be interesting to see how the market responds.”
