Property firm Savills regularly deals with sales of some of the most exclusive mansions in the country – but the firm concedes “Cats Castle” in Cardross is in a league of its own.

It is so called because its original owner – who commissioned the building in the late Victorian era – was the ultimate cat enthusiast, and had the outside of the building embellished with elaborate climbing cat sculptures.

He was Robert Craig, a lawyer and sheriff clerk for Dumbarton, and although he originally called the building Hazelwood it wasn’t long before its nickname stuck.

Set in two acres of grounds, the building – on the market at offers over £695,000 – commands views down the Firth of Clyde. Apart from the cats, its special features include curved stone stairs and a drawing room with corner turret window, and “exceptional” ceiling plasterwork and fireplace.

On the second floor there’s a tower bedroom with access to the rooftop (and turret), with what’s reckoned to be one of the best views anywhere in West Dunbartonshire. But while it was built around 1888 it now has all mod cons, as well as an extra self-contained two bedroom wing.

A spokesman for Savill’s said: “We see the best properties you can find anywhere in the UK, but this one is a cracker – and we are expecting plenty of interest.”