ON the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond lies a grand house in a beautiful country estate covering nearly 100 acres - complete with its own 16th century ruined castle.
Our latest Property of the Week is Bannachra Estate, near Arden.
This peaceful and private property is surrounded by some of the most attractive countryside in the UK, with lochs, mountains, waterfalls, grand architecture and innumerable outdoor activities.
Bannachra House itself, which runs to some 5,669 square feet over two floors, is located at the end of a sweeping entrance driveway and welcomes guests at a stately covered entrance, leading to a grand entrance hall and a beautiful pitch pine staircase.
The ground floor rooms are served by a kitchen and family room with a butler’s pantry and a five-oven Aga.
There are eight bedrooms, two of them en-suite, and a spacious new morning room is being built using oak from the estate’s own woodlands.
The property's slate roof was entirely replaced earlier this year.
In the courtyard, there's a two-bedroom cottage with two conservatories overlooking the lochan, which would be ideal as staff or guest accommodation or as a holiday let, subject to the necessary consents.
The ruined castle, classified as a medieval tower house by Historic Environment Scotland, was three storeys high in its pomp in the 16th century and had a commanding position looking over the loch. There are outbuildings in varying states of repair.
The surrounding estate extends to 94.7 acres and takes in a beautiful ancient woodland, which you'll find carpeted with bluebells in the late spring – and there are fishing rights stretching to more than one kilometre along the entire northern boundary of the estate.
The estate is within easy reach of Loch Lomond, Luss, Helensburgh and Balloch, and just a short drive from the Cameron House resort and Carrick Golf Club, while Glasgow is less than an hour away.
Bannachra was home for 54 years to the respected Scottish lawyer and businessman James Lumsden - known as Hamish - and his wife Sheila, who raised their three sons, James, Ian and Michael, at the property.
The property is being marketed by Baird Lumsden, the specialist rural property arm of DM Hall Chartered Surveyors.
To find out more, click here.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here