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NORTH SPACE

Ten-bedroom mansion in Dunnet on Britain’s northernmost tip with 1,800 acres overlooking Orkney Islands goes on sale for £1million

Astonishing property once played host to the Queen Mother and was nearly snapped up by rockers Led Zeppelin

A TEN-BED mansion on the northernmost tip of Britain could prove the ultimate escape from the rat race if you can meet its million pound price tag.

The remote Dunnet Estate near Thurso in Scotland also comprises of six lochs, 1,800 acres of heath and its own beach looking out to the Orkneys Islands.

 This ten-bed mansion on the northernmost tip of Britain could prove the ultimate escape from the rat race
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This ten-bed mansion on the northernmost tip of Britain could prove the ultimate escape from the rat raceCredit: AuctionHouseScotland

It’s up for sale for £925,000 - £25,000 cheaper than a one-bedroom flat in London's Mayfair.

The Queen Mother once stayed in the white, baronial-style home, called the House Of The Northern Gate.

The estate also attracted the attention of Led Zeppelin who considered buying it for a recording studio as well as the Bay City Rollers.

The house was built by Admiral Alexander Sinclair between 1895 and 1908.

 The remote Dunnet Estate near Thurso in Scotland also comprises of six lochs, 1,800 acres of heath and its own beach looking out to the Orkneys Islands
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The remote Dunnet Estate near Thurso in Scotland also comprises of six lochs, 1,800 acres of heath and its own beach looking out to the Orkneys IslandsCredit: AuctionHouseScotland
 The £925,000 asking price for the estate makes it £25,000 cheaper than a one-bedroom flat in London's Mayfair
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The £925,000 asking price for the estate makes it £25,000 cheaper than a one-bedroom flat in London's MayfairCredit: AuctionHouseScotland

In the late sixties and early seventies it was run as a hotel.

It has belonged to the current owners since the mid-1980s.

Now in need of refurbishment it has the potential to become a stunning family home, a hotel, B&B or serviced apartments.

The estate includes a six-acre plot that has planning permission for ten timber lodges.

 The Queen Mother once stayed in the white, baronial-style home
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The Queen Mother once stayed in the white, baronial-style homeCredit: AuctionHouseScotland
 The home requires some modernisation the estate agent admits
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The home requires some modernisation the estate agent admitsCredit: AuctionHouseScotland
 Led Zeppelin once considered buying the property with a view of turning it into a recording studio
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Led Zeppelin once considered buying the property with a view of turning it into a recording studioCredit: AuctionHouseScotland

There is also approval for a new detached house.

John Loudon, from Auction House Scotland which is selling the property, said: "Dunnet Estate is massive, as is the opportunity, and that's a key part of the attraction.

"This has been a home for a number of different families and the buyer could actually become the laird of their own manor. But it also has great business potential to create a fantastic tourist destination resort.

"The estate offers possibilities for brown trout fishing and grouse shooting and it's also very close to the North Coast 500 route which is increasingly popular and has encouraged significant investment in the area.

 Dunnet lies on the far northernmost tip of Scotland and boasts views of the Orkney Islands
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Dunnet lies on the far northernmost tip of Scotland and boasts views of the Orkney Islands
 The impressive house was built by an admiral between 1895 and 1908
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The impressive house was built by an admiral between 1895 and 1908Credit: AuctionHouseScotland
 The Dunnet peninsula provides views over the Pentland Firth towards the Orkney islands
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The Dunnet peninsula provides views over the Pentland Firth towards the Orkney islandsCredit: AuctionHouseScotland
 The 'spectacular' scenery is expected to be one of the estate's major selling points
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The 'spectacular' scenery is expected to be one of the estate's major selling pointsCredit: AuctionHouseScotland

"It's the location of the property combined with the business opportunity that makes it appealing.

"The views from the situation on the Dunnet peninsula are spectacular overlooking the Pentland Firth towards the Orkney Islands.

"The spectacular scenery will be one of the major selling points.

"It has a fascinating history around it and the current owner’s family have had it since the 1980s.

"It will need refurbishment but the degree and expense will very much depend on the buyer’s future plans. It is a blank canvas really."

The estate will be sold at auction in Glasgow on March 22 and is expected to sell for at least £925,000 plus auction house fees.


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