A beautifully renovated Georgian house in an idyllic setting in the heart of south west Scotland.

Castle Douglas about 3 miles, Dumfries about 12 miles

Entrance hall | 4 reception rooms | Billiard room | 8 bedrooms | 5 bathrooms | 2 home offices | Open Courtyard | Gym | Sauna | Cinema | Boot Room | Wine Cellar | Stores | Superb gardens with sweeping lawns | Bowling green and tennis court | Walled garden and arboretum | Woodlands | Loch with boathouse | 1 bed annex apartment | EPC Rating E

Courtyard House: 2 reception rooms | 6 bedrooms | 3 bathrooms | Private garden | Outbuildings and greenhouse

River bank and salmon fishing rights on the Urr Water

About 34 acres

For sale as a whole

The property
Spottes House was built around 1790 (it was then known as Spottes Hall) before major later additions in 1873 and 1887 extended the house to its current layout. The house has an asymmetric style with a mix of granite with sandstone dressings and it sits in an elevated position with a south-westerly outlook.

It is listed Category B for its architectural interest and is an excellent example of its type.

The house was renovated in the late 1990’s when the roof was replaced and the current owners have undertaken complete refurbishment over the last 5 years which includes updating electrics, the central heating system, new bathrooms and the installation of a gym, sauna and cinema room. All the main reception rooms are stunning and beautifully proportioned with lovely cornice work, fireplaces and original features. The kitchen, with electric Aga, has been modernised within the last couple of years.

The self-contained annex has a spacious sitting room, bedroom and bathroom and would make ideal staff or additional accommodation.

The flexibility of the accommodation lends itself to a variety of different layouts and uses.

Outside
The gardens and grounds of Spottes are a special feature of this charming estate. A terraced lawn steps down from the house opening up picturesque south westerly views. Sweeping lawns at the approach to the house are framed by Rhododendrons and mature specimen trees and include Wellingtonia, Beech and Oak. Beyond the Victorian grass Bowling Green, the woodland spreads out and provides shelter and interest to a beautiful pond, with islands and a boathouse with a wooden jetty.

The pond is a haven for wildlife, with coots, mallard and teal on the water and trout and pike beneath. Herons, swans and roe deer are regular visitors to the water’s edge. Around the pond is an old curling house and a Japanese open-sided ‘tea house’. Beyond lies a 3.5 acre field suitable for horses or livestock grazing.

An arboretum has been planted outside the walled garden with some interesting ornamental trees, bridging the gap between the formal garden area and the wilder amenity woodland. Mature woodland is a feature of Spottes which is mostly hardwoods, predominantly Beech.

The Courtyard House
To the east of Spottes House and accessed off the main drive are the original stables, carriage house and outbuildings. The Courtyard House now provides a second house which could be let for holidays providing useful supplementary income or as additional accommodation for family and friends.

The Courtyard house has an open plan kitchen/dining room, two large sitting rooms, six bedrooms and three bathrooms and adjoins the walled garden which has beautifully established perennial borders, four lawns and a vegetable bed.

Beyond the terrace outside The Courtyard is a tennis court, which would now benefit from re-surfacing.

The other traditional stone and slate buildings include the old coach house, stables, tack room, granary, kennels and workshops, which also offer considerable scope for conversion.

Location
Spottes Estate lies on the edge of the quiet village of Haugh of Urr within about 3 miles of Castle Douglas and 7 miles from the Solway Coast at Kippford. The estate is surrounded by beautiful rolling countryside, hedge-lined lanes and woodland. The area is known for its mild climate, unspoilt landscapes and the diversity of sporting and recreational opportunities. The Galloway Forest Park and surrounding countryside offers shooting, stalking, trout and salmon fishing as well as hiking, cycling and mountain biking. In addition, the Solway Coast is less than 20 minutes away by car where there are many great beaches, marinas and safe moorings. Castle Douglas is the nearest town where there is a good range of shops and services, while Haugh of Urr has a church,
pub and village hall. There is a highly regarded primary school in the adjoining village of Hardgate. Dumfries is the main county town about 12 miles east with a wider range of shops as well as a leisure complex, High School, colleges and the main regional hospital.

The train station in Dumfries links to the main West Coast Line at Carlisle. There is also a West Coast Line station at Lockerbie (35 miles).

Fishing
Spottes Burn runs along the eastern side of the estate and is an attractive feature. It flows into the Urr Water, which lies to the south of Spottes House. The fishing along this stretch of river is let to the local Angling Association, while the house retains fishing rights for two rods throughout the season.

Directions
what3words: dawn.impressed.houseboat
Postcode: DG7 3JX

General
Council: Dumfries & Galloway Council –[use Contact Agent Button]

Services:

Water - Mains

Drainage - Private

Electricity - Mains

Heating - Oil Fired

Spottes House - Council Tax Band G
The Courtyard House - Council Tax Band F

Tenure: Freehold
Price: Offers over £2.45m

Viewings:
Strictly by appointment with Strutt & Parker, Perth –[use Contact Agent Button]

Fixtures and Fittings:
All fitted carpets and light fittings are included in the sale.

Listed Building:
Spottes House, Walled Garden and Courtyard - Category B.