Cromlix Estate, Dunblane, Stirlingshire, FK15 9JT | Property for sale | Savills
237 to 1,346 Ac(95.91 to 544.71 Ha)
Offers over £900,000 -​ £6,500,000

Cromlix EstateDunblane, Stirlingshire, FK15 9JT

  • Available in lots

Key features

  • About 1,346 acres in total
  • A traditional estate lodge with four reception rooms, six bedrooms and three bathrooms
  • Mature gardens including a tennis court, overlooking a stunning loch with a boathouse
  • Portfolio of four residential properties with further development potential, subject to planning consents
  • Permanent pasture, hill ground, amenity woodland and commercial forestry, with scope for further afforestation
  • Three trout fishing lochs, duck flighting and rough and driven shooting
  • Single bank trout fishing on two miles of the Allan Water available in addition

A secluded rural estate in the heart of Scotland with potential for forestry, renewable energy and residential development

About this property

  • Cromlix Estate is a well-rounded estate set in a private position surrounded by stunning countryside. It consists of residential, agricultural, forestry and sporting aspects, with scope for renewable development and to expand the residential and forestry portfolio.

    The estate encompasses 1,346 acres (545 hectares) and is centred around Cromlix Lodge. This cherished family home is set amongst stunning gardens which feature a tennis court, picturesque loch and a charming boathouse.

    A short distance from the lodge is a terrace of two residential properties and an adjoining workshop/store. To the east, at Cromlix Home Farm, Home Farm Cottage and Poultry Cottage complete the residential portfolio. Adjacent is a modest range of both modern and traditional farm buildings, which provide livestock housing, stabling and versatile storage to support estate and farming operations.

    The land at Cromlix is used for a mixture of livestock farming, forestry and sport. It rises from circa 90 metres at the Allan Water to 250 metres above sea level. The terrain is scattered with four lochs (three for fishing) and various burns including the Bracklin Burn and Lodge Burn. The land comprises permanent pasture, rough grazings and woodland. For agriculture, the land is classified by the James Hutton Institute as class 3.2 to 5.3, well suited for producing grass leys and improved pastures. Approximately 1,074 acres (435 hectares) of farmland is let on a seasonal basis.

    With regards to forestry, most of the land is classed as grade F3 according to the National Land Capability for Afforestation. This signifies the potential to expand commercial conifer crops and broadleaved amenity woodlands, whilst having potential to sequester significant volumes of carbon.

    The combination of forestry and open ground, coupled with the gently sloping and rolling nature of the landscape is well suited for an estate shoot. A small shooting syndicate has been run across the estate by the family for last 18 years. Typically, around 800 birds are put down and reared, supplying shoot days of up to 50 birds. As well as game shooting, there is potential for roe and red deer stalking throughout the estate.

    In addition to agriculture, forestry and sport, the land may have potential to generate renewable energy through solar power production, given the proximity to the national grid.

    LOT 1 CROMLIX LODGE AND HOME FARM (approx. 531 acres/215 hectares)
    Cromlix Lodge, a Victorian estate lodge dating back to the 1880s, is surrounded by stunning gardens, sheltered by woodland on three sides. To the south the vistas unfold across the rolling pastures of Cromlix Estate, to woodlands beyond and towards the distant Gargunnock Hills. The lodge is accessed via a private tar and stone road which winds through the estate before arriving at the lodge.

    The gardens feature expansive, well-kept lawns, trees, hedgerows, raised beds, and an array of plants and shrubs. The lawn and patio by the Lodge Loch, which is a haven for wildlife, is a tranquil spot for outdoor dining and relaxation. Completing the garden is a tennis court, a boathouse and a sun- house.

    Internally the house offers comfortable, well-presented accommodation across two storeys. There are four reception rooms, six bedrooms and three bathrooms as detailed on the associated floor plans. On the ground floor a porch leads to the entrance hall off which a cloakroom is immediately accessed. The original reception rooms, the drawing room and formal dining room, flank the main hall, each benefiting from dual aspects and working fires. Passing a large boot room and store you reach the snug which adjoins a large dining kitchen, featuring an oil-fired AGA and pantry. The snug leads to the rear hall where the boiler room and a WC are located. The ground floor culminates in the garden room, an expansive open-plan space spanning the width of the house added in 2016, complete with underfloor heating, a wood-burning stove, and captivating garden views.

    Ascending the staircase in the main hall, the first landing leads to four double bedrooms and three bathrooms (one accessible via a separate staircase and linking to the principal bedroom). Continuing upward you reach the principal bedroom, the sixth bedroom and a dressing room.

    The lodge combines traditional stone construction with a modern flat roof extension, designed for future expansion of a second storey. Plumbing infrastructure has been installed to allow for potential geothermal heating sourced from the Lodge loch.

    The Residential Portfolio
    There are four dwellings located on the estate. Laundry Cottages No. 1 and 2 are located a short distance from the lodge. The remaining two dwellings, Poultry Cottage and Home Farm Cottage are located at Cromlix Home Farm.

    Land and Forestry
    The land within Lot 1 includes a mixture of permanent pasture, rough grazings, woodland blocks and shelter belts and four lochs. The grazings are let under a seasonal licence which also extends into Lot 2 and 3. There is opportunity to continue farming whilst establishing woodland on the agricultural land and around the lochs for timber production, biodiversity and to enhance the landscape.

    The land is easily accessed via the estate drive which extends to forestry located to the north of Cromlix Estate (outwith the vendors' ownership). The road is well maintained and has been recently upgraded in part.

    Sporting
    Further to the small shoot, which is run across the whole of Cromlix Estate, Lot 1 features four charming lochs. Notably, Cullings Loch and Keepers Loch are fished and stocked with diverse trout species - natural brown, blue, rainbow and tiger trout. They are fished by a small fishing syndicate and Cromlix Hotel guests, while the estate retains fishing privileges. These lochs also offer fantastic opportunities for duck flighting.

    LOT 2 MUCKLE HILL (approx. 578 acres/234 hectares)
    Muckle Hill holds great potential for large scale afforestation. Surveys have been completed with the intention of submitting a Forestry Grant Scheme application later this year for the bare land within Lots 2 and 3, amounting to a potential woodland establishment area of 598 acres/243 hectares, subject to approval.

    The land has a good range of mineral based soils, and some peatland which is excluded from the application and will be left as open habitat and as a carbon store. Alternatively, the land could continue to be grazed by renewing the current grazing licence, allowing the purchaser time to consider future land use options whilst awaiting approval for woodland creation.

    Lot 2's northern boundary follows the Muckle Burn and is enclosed by stock and deer fences (in varying condition). Access to the land is via the shared estate/forest access, recently upgraded for third party timber extraction. The land provides excellent potential for woodland expansion on the primarily mineral based soils.

    In addition, this lot provides untapped potential for renewable energy production including solar and wind power.

    LOT 3 BRACKLIN HILL (approx. 237 acres/96 hectares)
    Bracklin Hill has a diverse range of land uses, currently supporting livestock, yet prime for woodland creation. It neighbours Drummond Wood, an established commercial forest planted in two phases with, predominantly, Sitka spruce, covering approximately 72 acres / 29 hectares, with the lower section planted in 1996 and the upper section replanted in 2001 post-harvest.

    Adjacent to the woodland is fertile farmland let under the same grazing licence as the other lots. Access into Lot 3 is excellent with the main access road providing a direct link through the estate with a track leading west onto the farmland.

Local information

  • Located within central Scotland, Cromlix Estate offers an escape from urban life. It is situated in Stirlingshire, immediately west of the boundary between Stirling County and Perth & Kinross.
  • The estate's diverse topography ranges from the tranquil valley of the Allan Water to rolling in-bye pastures dotted with fishing lochs, to south facing and gently sloping uplands. The Braes of Cromlix and Braes of Doune serve as a stunning backdrop.
  • Despite its seclusion, Cromlix enjoys excellent connectivity, a unique advantage of its central-belt location. The A9 road (3 miles south) provides access to the cities of Stirling and Perth, and to both Glasgow (37 miles) and Edinburgh (47 miles). Dunblane's rail services connect to Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the north, and on weekdays the Caledonian Sleeper service calls at Dunblane. Nearby airports (Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow) ensure convenient travel within the UK, to Europe and beyond. Additionally, Perth boasts an airport for private and business aircraft.
  • On the doorstep of the estate lies the opulent five-star Cromlix Hotel and Spa, owned by Sir Andy Murray. It offers an award-winning restaurant and recreation in the form of tennis and pickleball.
  • For the outdoor enthusiast both Stirlingshire and Perthshire offer abundant opportunities to explore the great outdoors, including hiking and cycling across a multitude of trails in the local hills. At the world famous Gleneagles golf resort (13 miles), three of Scotland's finest golf courses can be enjoyed, which in recent years have hosted The Ryder and Solheim Cups.
  • The surrounding area offers fishing opportunities such as salmon fishing on the River Teith or fly fishing for rainbow and brown trout on the Lake of Menteith. With an array of lochs in the vicinity, including those within Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, water sports are available.
  • The cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Stirling, Dundee and Perth, all within easy reach, offer a wide selection of professional services, shops, cultural and leisure facilities. Perth is home to Scotland's most northerly racecourse nestled in the parklands of Scone Palace. In addition, in June Scone Estate hosts the annual Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair, the country's top country sports event.
  • Within a 25 mile radius there are a number of options for private schooling including Dollar Academy, Strathallan School, Glenalmond College and Morrison's Academy. For younger children Craigclowan School and Nursery and Ardvreck School offer schooling for ages three to thirteen.

Additional information

  • AVAILABLE IN ADDITION - Excluded from the sale but available by separate negotiation is 2 miles of single bank trout fishing. The section of the Allan Water begins across the county border in Perthshire, passes the hamlet of Kinbuck and ends at the village of Ashfield. The fishings are currently let to the Allan Water Angling Improvement Association (AWAIA) and the estate retains two rods.
  • OWNED BUT EXCLUDED - The following is owned by the vendors but excluded from the sale of Cromlix Estate: Braes of Cromlix, including a derelict property known as Hill House, extending to 1,253 acres/ 507 acres situated to the north of the estate (shown hatched on the sale plan).
  • EXCLUSIONS - Milldam House, 5 Cromlix Home Farm Cottage and Gamekeepers Cottage are not owned by the vendors and therefore do not form part of the sale of the estate.
  • HISTORICAL NOTE - Cromlix Estate, dating back to the 1500s, derives its name from 'Cromlech,' a standing stone, or 'Crom leac,' meaning 'curved hillside.' The estate has been owned by the Chisholm family for over 500 years. Edmund Chisholm, the first owner, arrived in Perthshire in the early 15th century and was knighted. His son, James, succeeded him and contributed significantly to Dunblane Cathedral until 1527. James was followed by his half brother, William Chisholm I, known as the 'robber bishop,' and later by his nephew, William Chisholm II, nominated by Mary Queen of Scots.
  • The estate's notable events include the marriage of Jean Chisholm to James Drummond, linking Cromlix with Innerpeffray until the early 20th century. Bishop Robert Hay Drummond established Scotland's first free public library at Innerpeffray.
  • In the 1800s, Cromlix was famed for its healing mineral water. The estate passed to the Hay-Drummonds in 1739. A fire in the late 19th century destroyed the main house, which was rebuilt in 1880. Evelyn Hay Drummond of Cromlix became Lady Auckland in 1925 after marrying Terence Eden, the 8th Baron of Auckland. Passionate about country sports, she was internationally known for her work in gun dog field trials, and regularly hosted the Scottish Field Trial Championships at Cromlix Estate. During the World Wars, much of Cromlix's woodland was felled, but replanting occurred in the 1950s-70s. The Hay-Drummonds maintained the estate until 1971.
  • Today, Cromlix House operates as a hotel under third party ownership, and the remaining estate, including Cromlix Lodge, is being offered for sale.
  • Directions: From Edinburgh and Glasgow take the M9 towards Stirling. The motorway bypasses Stirling and Dunblane. Take the exit signposted for Dunblane/Kinbuck onto the B8033. Turn right at the T junction for Kinbuck and follow the road through the hamlet. Continue over the bridge, the estate drive is the first left signposted Cromlix Lodge and Cromlix Home Farm. Follow the road and take the first right hand turn (straight). Take the first left through the gate piers and follow the road for almost a mile. You will arrive at Cromlix Lodge on your righthand side. For sat nav purposes the postcode is FK15 9JT what3words - ///romance.musically.crusted
  • EPC Rating: D