One of Scotland’s most significant and historic castles…
agents, Savills

Brechin Castle occupies a commanding position overlooking its surrounding designed landscape, says the agents sales details. It continues: There are about 40 acres of policies including the renowned walled garden, where, in addition to the Castle there are two gate lodges (West and New) and three further estate houses and cottages. The properties are strategically placed around the grounds without compromising the outlook of the Scottish Castle. The River South Esk provides the opportunity to catch salmon and sea trout in the Castle Pool. Throughout the policies there is an exceptional array of specimen trees which enhances the designed landscape surrounding the Castle.

Brechin Castle stands proud on a massive bluff of rocks above the banks of the River South Esk. On the site of a much older fortress belonging to the Scottish Kings, the present house was last reconstructed in the early 1700s and incorporates part of the original castle dating back to the 13th century. The building has evolved from a defensive role to its present great house style. Despite its size, the Castle lends itself well to being both a family home and hosting large gatherings in grand style. Built in a period when families were large with numerous children and with a battalion of house staff, Brechin Castle has the potential to be used for a commercial purpose utilising all the space on offer.

The ten extraordinary houses and castles featured in this book have all survived the vicissitudes of Scotland’s history with almost all of their original families still in residence. Each house also represents a landmark in Scotland’s architectural history, ranging from the early seventeenth to the early twentieth century. The architectural revelation is matched by sensational settings… READ MORE
There are two entrances to the Castle. The north drive is the principal approach to the Castle, accessed from the imposing entrance gates at the New Lodge.

The tarred drive crosses the Skinners Burn by a single arch bridge, one of two in Brechin, the other being at the Den providing access to the cemetery.

The bridges were designed and built in 1856 by John Henderson, son of the Brechin Castle gardener. After crossing the bridge you enter the open parkland which reveals the fine front elevation of the Castle.
The south drive, over which the purchaser will have a right of access, passes through open farmland and forestry before crossing the River South Esk via the Image Bridge before gently climbing up through the estate parkland past the walled garden to join the main driveway. The Image Bridge was built by James Burn of Haddington in 1797.

In 2019, the building and 70-acre grounds of Brechin Castle were put up for sale, with James Ramsay, 17th Earl of Dalhousie and chief of Clan Ramsay citing prohibitive upkeep costs as the motivating factor. A news report stated that the castle has eight reception rooms, 16 bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Another news report made this statement: “Of the early medieval building little evidence remains. The oldest part of the current castle is the kitchen block, where can be seen a stone bearing the date 1703, but in 1711 major renovations were made which gave the building its current form”.
Wikipedia

Upon entering the Castle, you are greeted with Edward’s original panelled walls and impressive columns that were added after the initial restoration. In addition, the ceiling appears to date back to Alexander Laing’s reparations in 1797. The imposing staircase leads up from the ground floor Entrance Hall to the first floor landing where many pieces of traditional artwork, mostly family portraits, are presented. The staircase is very much in its original condition and still retains its striking ironwork balustrades which were installed in 1659.

Accessed from the ground floor entrance hall, the small dining room is accented with a vaulted ceiling and small windows which suggest that this is the site of the original building which dates back to the 12th century. This room was the former kitchen but was converted into a Porter’s lodge by Alexander Edward in the 1711 reconstruction of the house. However, it became the small dining room during alterations in the early 1960s by the 16th Earl and Countess of Dalhousie.
Off the entrance hall there is a security monitor room and cloakroom, bedroom suite with turret room and separate WC. The passageway leads from the entrance hall to the family sitting room which has two full length windows giving access to the sun terrace overlooking the River South Esk.
The principal reception rooms are located on the first floor all leading from the gallery which was restored by the 14th Earl and Countess.

The drawing room is steeped in history and boasts intricate craftsmanship throughout. The 14th Countess of Dalhousie appointed John Keeble of London to produce a design for this room. The detailed woodwork in this room was all created by local craftsmen and above the fireplace one can see the crests of the two families associated with Brechin Castle, the Maules and the Ramsays.


The dining room is fitted in a modest late 17th century style. The walls are attractively panelled and the three large south facing windows look out over the steep banks of the river below.

The little drawing room at the front of the house was previously a bedroom and also a billiard room but was refurbished by the current Earl’s late mother.

Off the gallery there is a passage which leads to the principal bedroom with two dressing rooms and an ensuite bathroom. There are two further bedrooms and a family bathroom. On the second floor there are a further 12 bedrooms and 8 bathrooms.

At the rear of castle, off the courtyard there is a rustic dining room (shoot room), estate offices, ancillary storage and staff accommodation.

Wikipedia entry is as follows:
The grounds have been in the Maule-Ramsay family since the 12th century. The castle has been the seat of the Clan Maule since medieval times. The Maule and Ramsay clans were joined under a single chieftain in the 18th century. The seat of the Ramsay clan was moved from Dalhousie Castle in Midlothian to Brechin Castle in the early 20th century. The castle is the home of the Earl of Dalhousie, the clan chieftain of Clan Maule of Panmure in Angus, and Clan Ramsay of Dalhousie.
Marie Stewart, Countess of Mar entertained her brother-in-law, the Earl of Huntly at Brechin in September 1593. She hosted John Taylor the Water Poet, and King James on his return to Scotland in 1617. She had inventories made of the contents and furnishings of Brechin Castle in 1611 and 1622. Brechin Castle has been a stronghold of the Ramsay family since around 1645.
The Estate
The estate consisted of approximately 150,000 acres (61,000 ha) at its height and is now 55,000 acres (22,000 ha). The formal gardens date to the early 18th century. Agriculture and forestry largely dominate the estate grounds, but tourists can stay at several guest lodges on the property.
The Scottish castle has been Category A Listed since 1971. The summary states that the battlemented flank walls were added in the mid-1800s, the building was remodelled 1854 and that a tower was added in 1863. Other modifications were also made in that era.

A 1990s addition to the grounds is Brechin Castle Centre, described as a “Country Park with Cafe and Garden Centre, plus loads of kids activities in the Park and in a Yard Play Area.” As of 2018 the castle and gardens were open to the public in June/July. (go to page here)

Located on the east coast of Scotland, Angus is a county renowned for its heather clad hills, productive farmland, historic castles and attractive coastline. The county of Angus is perhaps lesser known than its neighbour Perthshire, but is equally beautiful, for its varied coastline from Dundee, home to The Discovery and recently opened V&A museum to the Montrose Basin, an incredibly important sanctuary for thousands of waders, wildfowl and migratory pink footed geese each year. This stunning Scottish castle lies between Dundee, recently voted by the Sunday Times as the best place to live in Scotland and Aberdeen, the oil capital of Scotland.


For the full details, from the agents Savills, of this most stunning scottish castle, click here… Detached house for sale in Brechin Castle, By Brechin, Angus, DD9 (rightmove.co.uk)
For more properties like this either click on the carousel below or go to https://britishcountryhomes.com/blog-country-homes/
The Most Viewed Homes Of 2021
New data from the UK’s biggest property website, Rightmove reveals the most viewed homes of…
Rossley Manor, a stunning English Country House
Rossley Manor, located near the picturesque town of Cheltenham, is a stunning example of an…
Rightmove’s most viewed January ’22
New data from the UK’s biggest property website Rightmove reveals the most viewed homes in…
Daylight Robbery!
As in most countries throughout the world, everyone in Great Britain has to pay “council…
The Most Refined & Sophisticated Manor House
Dream Holiday Homes!
The Summer’s Hottest Houses!
The Estate Office
I have been A Country Agent for a number of years now, this is the…
A Country Home good enough to hide a King!
Georgian Country Homes
Denham Place: A Timeless Gem of History, Elegance, and Natural Beauty
Sedgwick Park House, a pure delight!
A Manor House with its own Castle!
This weeks Prime 5 Country Houses
A Whopping Manor!
History! History! Historic Hall!
A Plum of a Manor House!
The Stunning Chobham Park Estate
“Chobham Park House, has been in its time a manor house, a royal hunting lodge,…
A Country Castle of Grand Designs
A Handsome Elizabethan Hall
A Simply Divine Manor!
Barnham Court: Discover Timeless Beauty
This week’s Prime 5 Country Houses
This week we see some of the markets finest homes being advertised across Great Britain,…
All things… Cotswolds
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for your while life, you will have heard…
Look inside five Bridgerton-style dream homes!
Harry & Meghan’s Californian Home…
It may not be a “british country home” but it is a home that was…
Rightmove’s most viewed homes in March
Top 5 country properties in 2021
Country Style – Lounging around
Historic House with breathtaking views
“A fascinating home with exciting querks and significant history oozing out of every wall. The…
A Deep Purple House
These Cottages Three!
10% off at the English Heritage Shop!
Swan Lake! A fine Sussex Court…
Period Homes Pt 1: Medieval & Tudor
A Glorious Georgian Cotswolds Pile
DESCRIPTION Firs House is an elegant and impressive Grade II listed Georgian house situated in…
Game, Set, Thatch!
A Badminton Court
Irish Manor House near Bushmills
A Charming Georgian House
Exploring the Rich History of British Period Property
Gothic Mansion worthy of a Bishop
5 Essential Country Garden Books
Hall & Cannon Ball!
British Royal Palaces
Mill of your dreams
This week’s “Prime 5” Country Homes
Every week we take a look at five prime country homes that have been brought…