Six of the best Scottish castles and estates on the market now

If you have aspirations of grandeur, and a bank balance to match, then why not invest in one of these stunning Scottish castles, stately homes or estates? Glenborrodale Castle Picture: Bell Ingram An A-listed Scots baronial mansion which looks fit to feature in a Hollywood fairy tale blockbuster or period drama and comes complete with two islands is now on the market. Dating from 1902, Glenborrodale Castle is a five storey, 16 bedroom property set on the southern shore of the idyllic Ardnamurchan Peninsula in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The castle is set in a vast 133 acres of land and the sale includes the Isle of Risga and Eilean an Feidh – meaning the new owner can take a boat trip to these uninhabited islands. The palatial property also boasts a beautiful feature staircase with marble steps, three expansive public rooms and a turret with panoramic views of Loch Sunart and the Isles of Carna and Oronsay. To add to the whole attractive package, it also comprises an adjoining tennis court, gym and sauna, games room, a boat house complete with jetty and staff accommodation, as well as having many beautiful original features including marble fireplaces, cornicing and sandstone arches. The property is on the market with Bell Ingram for offers over £3.75 million. Strathgarry House Picture: Galbraith Strathgarry House in Pitlochry, Perthshire is currently on the market with Galbraith for the asking price of a whopping £1.55 million. The wider estate is a big undertaking however. Already complete is a beautifully renovated steading, Wester Strathgarry, which is set around a courtyard and overlooks an all-weather tennis court. With features such as a great hall and double-height sitting room, this would make a substantial country house or could be split into two properties. Strathgarry House itself is Victorian and ready for restoration having been stripped back to a shell. The grounds include beautiful gardens, woodland and a walled garden dating back to the early 19th century. Alongside the tennis court is half a mile of frontage to River Garry with salmon fishing. Ellon Castle Picture: Galbraith On the banks of the River Ythan, Ellon Castle is a handsome B-listed mansion house with around 3.5 acres of grounds. It dates back to the 1700s and was once owned by Sir James Reid, who became the private physician and close friend to Queen Victoria for the last 20 years of her life. Sir James’ grandson inherited Ellon Castle following his death in 1923, and his wife, Michaela Reid, went on to write a book titled Ask Sir James based on daily pocket diaries written by the physician. The grounds include a Victorian “ladies terrace” which is understood to have been a favourite spot of Queen Victoria’s. Ellon Castle is a substantial home, including three reception rooms, seven bedrooms, and five bathrooms. There is also a one bedroom Coach House adjacent to the main property which includes an open plan living and kitchen area – ideal for guests or family members who want a self-contained space.Ellon Castle is on the market at offers over £850,000 with Galbraith. Dowery House Picture: Gilson Grey Discerning homebuyers now have the rare opportunity to purchase one of Scotland’s most desirable historic mansion homes located close to the Capital. With elements dating back to the 1600s, The B-listed Dowery House boasts an imposing facade of turrets and castellations – and has its own private tennis courts and pavilion, as well as a sizeable six car garage within its seven-acre grounds. It also comes with an enclosed paddock and stable, an orchard, a private woodland and landscaped garden with ornamental pond. On the market through Gilson Gray Property Services, the secluded mansion located near the village of Ford, Midlothian, is available to homebuyers for £2,550,000. Craigcrook Castle Picture: Craigcrook Castle, Ballantynes This historic, 16th century castle in the Ravelston area, features a viewing tower, gymnasium, cinema room, games room, a separate Gatehouse and grounds of 4.4 acres with walled gardens…which could all be yours. Craigcrook Castle near Edinburgh has welcomed the likes of Charles Dickens, Hans Christian Andersen, Sir Walter Scott, Alfred Lord Tennyson and George Eliot over the past few centuries.The stunning three storey castle, built in 1542 by William Adamson, boasts a round tower that offers breathtaking views of Corstorphine Hill, Blackhall and The Firth of Forth.The castle just three miles from the Scottish capital is currently on sale at £6,000,000 with Ballantynes, for first time in nearly 300 years.