What it is: Westhall is a substantial country house that has fallen on hard times — for many years it has been a feature on the Buildings at Risk register. The core was built in the 16th century and there was a substantial addition the following century, most notably the tower.
The house was originally built for the bishops of Aberdeen, then passed in 1681 to the Reverend James Horne, with whose family it was associated for several centuries. Since then it has been a school for agriculture students and a hotel, among other things. Recent ideas for its use have included developing a large golf resort nearby. It is offered with 20 acres and a steading with planning for conversion to five houses.
The problems: The price is a big one. The building needs a great deal of work, not to mention a clear sense of purpose. The house has changed hands a good many times in the past few decades, and always for a great deal less than this. It was last sold in 2002 for just under £500,000. Whatever might have happened to house prices in Aberdeenshire in the intervening years, it does not reduce the need to find a way of using Westhall that a new owner can afford. The current price is not going to help that. There have also been sales of land and buildings from the estate in recent years, so some of the easy-to-realise value has already gone.
The advantages: It is a striking house with a great deal of history. And although this corner of Aberdeenshire can seem rather off the beaten track, there is much to commend it. The built environment is generally of a superior standard, and the rolling landscape and nearby mountains have much in them to enjoy.
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If somebody could make a success of Westhall — either as a business or a private house — they would undoubtedly have a gem in their possession. It will take a considerable force of personality to achieve this, however, not to mention deep pockets. The same effort and resources expended elsewhere might show results more easily.
Knight Frank, 0131 222 9600