Islay House, Bridgend, Isle of Islay, Argyll, Scotland – SOLD

AN HISTORIC MANSION HOUSE on 28 acres in a stunning island setting.  Reception Hall, 5 Reception Rooms, Ballroom, Kitchen, Offices and Storerooms. 24 Bedrooms and 9 Bathrooms.  Lawns and Parkland. Restored Walled Garden. Historic Woodlands.

LOCATION: Islay is the most southerly island of The Hebrides, which lie off the west coast of Scotland. There are three weekday flights from Glasgow Airport during the summer (two in the winter)) and a daily flight at weekends. The runway on Islay is long enough to take large private jets. The Island has two ports, and two ferry sailings daily throughout the year (one on Sundays), with more in the summer, from Kennacraig on the Kintyre Peninsula.  Islay is approximately 25 miles long and 20 miles wide; it has about 3,500 permanent residents. The main village, Bowmore, is 3 miles away with shops, banks, hotels, restaurants and a hospital. The local village of Bridgend has a shop, hotel and petrol station.

Islay is world famous for its single malt whiskies from its 8 working distilleries, and for the renowned 18-hole Machrie Golf Course, which is 9 miles from the house. The island contains ancient chapels, historic standing stones and also the site of Finlaggan, chosen by the Macdonalds, Lords of the Isles, in the 12th Century as the base from where they ruled the Hebridean Islands and part of the west coast of Scotland. The island is a haven for wild birds, and has spectacular natural landscapes including impressive cliffs and beautiful beaches. As well as providing opportunities for walking, fishing and sailing, the island’s estate offices can arrange deer stalking, game fishing and shooting. There are annual music, jazz and chamber music festivals as well as art exhibitions.

Islay-bay islay-side

 

THE PROPERTY: Islay House stands at the top of Loch Indaal on the Isle of Islay, with a superb outlook down the Loch and out to sea. The house is situated near the village of Bridgend, and 7 miles from Islay Airport.  The building of Islay House began in 1677 during the reign of King Charles II for Sir Hugh Campbell of Cawdor, and is one of Scotland’s most magnificent mansion houses. It is listed Grade A. The house was extended in the 1730s and 1760s, and again in the 1840s.

islay-sittingroom islay-diningroom

 

ISLAY HOUSE has beautiful curving staircases, and period fireplaces throughout; the reception rooms all have fine cornices, wood panelling and working window shutters.  To the rear of the house is the Gamekeeper’s Cottage.  The Walled Garden is currently being restored and redeveloped with local residents to create a productive vegetable business.  The house is surrounded by lawns, unusual flowering shrubs and plants, rhododendron banks, and woodland which harbours swathes of spring snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells. More than 1,000 young trees have been planted to supplement the fine mature trees, some of which are the remnants of a medieval forest.  Private water supply and drainage. Mains electricity. Central heating and hot water from two oil-fired boilers. Further boilers in the East Wing, serving the Flat and in the Gamekeeper’s Cottage.

 

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