Those who would love to catch a glimpse of the Loch Ness monster from their back garden might be interested in buying a stunning 1200-acre mixed Highland estate which has just gone on the market £2.4m.
Bunloit is a residential, forestry, farming and sporting estate near Drumnadrochit, Inverness, Scotland and offers stunning views of Loch Ness where thousands of tourists flock each year in the hope of seeing the monster.
Its stunning three-bed main residence, The Old School House, has large living areas, cosy bedrooms and a modern kitchen – while windows provide spectacular views of the surrounding countryside.
Bunloit is stunning 1200-acre mixed Highland estate on the banks of Loch Ness could be yours for £2.4m
Bunloit is a residential, forestry, farming and sporting estate near Drumnadrochit, Inverness, Scotland and offers stunning views of Loch Ness
The school bell and school pegs have been retained from The Old School House while the spacious loch-facing breakfasting kitchen (pictured) occupies the old school room
The impressive period property has been sympathetically updated and extended in the current ownership, creating a wonderful welcoming home which capitalises on the views of the Great Glen
The stunning three-bed main residence has large living areas, cosy bedrooms and a modern kitchen – while windows provide spectacular views of the surrounding countryside
The Old School House is understood to date from 1876 and was a working school until 1956
Incredible images show the stunning three-bed main residence from outside as well as the sprawling grounds and Loch Ness in the background
The estate centres on The Old School House, which was built in 1876 and remained a working school with an excellent reputation until 1956.
Former pupils in the area recalled taking a pint of milk and a square of peat to school and a teacher who walked up from Drumnadrochit every day, knitting all the way.
The school bell and school pegs have been retained while the spacious loch-facing breakfasting kitchen occupies the old school room.
The impressive period property has been sympathetically updated and extended in the current ownership, creating a wonderful welcoming home which capitalises on the views of the Great Glen.
Situated just to the south of Drumnadrochit, the estate benefits from vehicular access to all of the local amenities nearby and is within easy commuting distance of the city of Inverness
The estate is positioned near the ruins of Urquhart Castle, one of the oldest castles in Scotland, and offers stunning panoramic views of Loch Ness and the Monadhliath Mountains
The dining room comes with a wood burning stove and provides ample space for formal dining and entertaining
The Old School House has an office, cloakroom, boot room, drying room and utility room.
The dining room comes with a wood burning stove and provides ample space for formal dining and entertaining.
A doorway from the inner hall leads to a bright and airy, bay windowed master bedroom, with windows front and side flooding the room with natural light and with lovely views over the mature garden and the Great Glen.
To the rear of the bedroom is a large walk in dressing room and en suite.
On the upper level there is a magnificent drawing room with far reaching views, two further bedrooms, bar/drinks room, bathroom and storage area.
In 2006, the owners built the adjacent Tower House, principally to act as a library to house their extensive collection of books as well as offering a study and providing a 360-degree view entertaining space at the top.
The Tower House has numerous uses and was very much designed and orientated to enjoy the stunning views.
The accommodation in the Tower House comprises a greenhouse, two sitting rooms and a study. There is also a potting shed connected to the garden.
Also on the estate is Easter Bunloit Farmhouse, a traditional detached 2 storey property which has been tastefully refurbished and decorated, and sits within its own enclosed garden.
Wester Bunloit Cottage also sits on the estate and has a sitting room, dining kitchen, bathroom and WC.
Upstairs off the upper landing are two large bedrooms. It also has an enclosed garden and a large traditional stone barn.
Just to the north of the estate sit the historically interesting ruins of Urquhart castle, dating back to the time of the Picts and St Columba.
Bunloit was once part of Balmacaan Estate, which extended to the west coast, being one of the largest mixed sporting estates in the Highlands.
The home is for sale through Strutt & Parker and John Clegg & Co.
Kevin Maley, head of residential agency for Strutt & Parker in Scotland, said: ‘Positioned near the ruins of Urquhart Castle and offering stunning panoramic views of Loch Ness and the Monadhliath Mountains, Bunloit offers the seclusion and romance of a traditional Scottish estate combined with the convenience of proximity to Inverness.
‘This is a lovely manageable mixed estate with a very attractive principal house in a magical location. There is also scope to develop with the potential to build upon both the holiday accommodation business and the sportings available.’
The property is advertised on the Rightmove website.
The Drumnadrochit area is famous for its association with Loch Ness and is an excellent point from which to explore the Highlands, with its unspoilt hillsides providing a haven for plants, wildlife and excellent rural sporting opportunities
The main property has been sympathetically updated and extended, creating a truly magnificent home of grace and style, which has retained all of its charm and a host of features