The most expensive estate in Scotland has been put on the open market for an eye-watering price of at least £10.5 million.
Tillypronie Estate, near Tarland, Aberdeenshire, boasts stunning scenic views of the Dee Valley and comes with its own salmon fishing and pheasant shoot.
The 12,000-acre estate is currently owned by Philip Astor, a member of the Anglo-American Astor family, with ties to the former Prime Minister’s wife.
It’s believed Samantha Cameron has set her heart on Tillypronie because of its beauty and family connections to the Astor clan through her mother’s second marriage.
The estate itself, an example of late Victorian Gothic-style, was built in 1867 by Queen Victoria’s physician Sir James Clark, with Victoria laying the first foundation stone.
Philip Astor, who inherited it in 1984 from his parents, Lord and Lady Astor, described it as a “truly magical place” following years of restoration work.
The family oversaw the establishment of one of the most prolific grouse moors in the Highlands, with more than 2,000 brace of grouse a year in the 1960s.
But Mr Astor, a barrister, said he felt the time had now come to sell the estate to someone who can continue developing it.
He said: “Tillypronie is a truly magical place, which has given huge pleasure to family and friends of all ages since I inherited it over 30 years ago.
“The house is one of those places that immediately conveys a sense of happiness; and I don’t think the garden has ever looked so beautiful.
“I have worked hard over the past few years to restore the grouse moors to something approaching their former glory, but I feel it is now time for someone else to continue that exercise.
“Meanwhile I am immensely proud to have developed a spectacular pheasant shoot, where discerning teams of guns have been eager to return year after year.”
The estate boasts a renowned high bird driven pheasant shoot, roe deer stalking, duck flighting and rough shooting for mixed game.
There is also a farmhouse and steading with potential for conversion as well as a range of houses, cottages and farm buildings.
The estate even boasts its own church, Migvie Kirk.
And buyers will also have a chance to go trout and salmond fishing.
Meanwhile, Tillypronie House has sweeping views of many gardens, including a Golden Jubliee garden featuring a Dawyck Gold beech tree planted by Queen Elizabeth II.
Selling agent Robert McCulloch, partner in Strutt and Parker’s Edinburgh office, said: “The style, setting and outlook of Tillypronie House is like no other in Scotland.
“Nestled discreetly in the hills above the Howe of Cromar, the panoramic views across Deeside are inspirational at all times of year.
“Standing on the Tillypronie terrace on a summer’s evening, sipping a glass of something chilled, is priceless in itself.”
Tillypronie has welcomed many notable figures, including the American writer Henry James who described it as “this supremely comfortable house – lying deep among the brown and purple moors”.
He also highlighted “the glorious view of sweeping hills and gleaming lochs that lies forever before the windows”.
It is currently the most expensive estate on the Scottish market at offers over £10.5 million but agents are also considering the sale in six lots.
The price-tag beats the sale of the Kinnaird Estate in Perthshire, which was bought for nearly £10 million in June.
