Spectacular B Listed manor house set in 17 acres of walled grounds

Description

Powfoulis Manor is a spectacular B Listed manor house situated in beautiful gardens and grounds, located a short distance from the south / west banks of the River Forth. The Powfoulis Estates were in the hands of the Bruce family from the early 16th century, where they remained for ten generations. The original house is thought to have been built by Sir James Bruce the Third of Powfoulis in around 1600. James Bruce the 9th of Powfoulis inherited the property at a young age, and demolished the original earlier house before building the central part of today’s mansion house on the old foundations in around 1820. In 1855 the estate was sold to William Dawson, co-founder of Carron Works who commissioned the stunning lateral wing as seen today. In 1952 Powfoulis Manor was purchased by the late James McAvoy who converted it into a hotel, and it has remained within the family ever since.

A beautiful tree-lined driveway passes through the mature policies of Powfoulis. The drive continues to a raised carriageway with stone balustrades arching up to the front porch, adding to the striking and characterful façade of Powfoulis Manor. The ornate timber front porch has an elevated outlook over the front gardens, full height sliding doors, and tiled steps leading to the entrance hall. An impressive lounge, two dining rooms, and a spacious bar are the principal reception rooms to the property, serviced by a reception area. The lounge is rich with character including ornate painted cornicing, a marble pillared fireplace, and large windows on three aspects. The adjacent bar has access onto the wrought iron balcony with steps leading down to the rear garden. The larger of the two dining rooms can seat 50, and the bow ended private dining room seats 27. The latter has an abundance of character with curved wooden doors, ornate ceiling plasterwork, fireplace with copper inset, and deep bay window overlooking the gardens. It also connects onto the terrace. There is also an equipped pantry and store.

The lower ground floor provides a large function suite with bar which opens up into the rear gardens. The commercial kitchen is fitted with catering appliances including cookers (LPG), dumb-waiter, and a refrigerated walk-in cold store. It also has direct outdoor access. There are Gents and Ladies WC facilities, several store rooms, and a pantry on this level.

The main staircase from the entrance hall leads up to the first floor owners’ apartment, and continues to the second floor. On this level there are two bedrooms, two offices and two attic stores.

Owners’ Apartment
The owners’ apartment sits on the first and second floors and is approached by a central staircase from the entrance hall and a secondary staircase in the north wing connecting the lower ground, ground and first floors. There is a sitting room, six bedrooms, two bathrooms (both with separate shower cubicles), a kitchen with fitted appliances, and a utility room housing the gas boiler. There is a further sitting room / dining room, which is nicely presented with gas fireplace and double aspect windows.

Accommodation units, outbuildings and grounds
The guest accommodation was built in the early 1970s. It comprises 16 bedrooms set over two levels, all with en suite bathrooms. There are two store rooms on the ground level. Adjacent is the brick built, service outbuilding containing the laundry and two large store rooms.

A dilapidated staff cottage offers excellent potential for refurbishment or a re-build subject to the necessary consents. It has two bedrooms, a living room and kitchen, with electricity and water supply. Adjacent to this is a range of outhouses including a workshop / garage and stables with ladder access to a hayloft above, set on a cobbled courtyard.

The policies at Powfoulis are fully walled and beautifully established. Pillared gates lead onto a tree-lined tarmac drive which passes alongside the front gardens, up to a large parking area to the side of the manor house. The largely lawned gardens to the front of the house are flanked and interspersed by mature trees, providing the grounds with great protection and shelter. A summerhouse overlooks the principal front garden. There is a further garden to the rear of the house; beyond is the paddock which extends to about 3.5 acres. The paddock is fully walled, has a field shelter and easy access to the stables.

Location

Powfoulis Manor has a highly accessible location within 5 miles of the popular commuter towns of Falkirk and Larbert, as well as Stirling which sits about 10.5 miles to the north. Edinburgh (28 miles) and Glasgow (25 miles) are both very accessible by road, as are their international airports. Larbert railway station is about 5.5 miles away and has commuter services to both Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Caledonian Sleeper stops at Stirling station providing a direct service to London Euston station.

Stirling is the major town of central Scotland. In the Middle Ages it was the seat of the Kings of Scotland and the town is famous for William Wallace who fought the English at Stirling in the 13th century. Today Stirling provides a full range of shops, supermarkets, schools and services including a golf club, cinema and swimming pool. Gleneagles Hotel, with its leisure club and golf courses, is only 24 miles to the north.

Private schools in the area include Dollar Academy (11 miles), which takes both girls and boys as boarders or day pupils, and Fairview International School at Bridge of Allan. Strathallan, Morrison’s Academy, Craigclowan (preparatory) and Kilgraston (girls only) are all within 40 miles. All the private schools, universities and colleges of Edinburgh and Glasgow are also within easy reach.

While being conveniently placed for the amenities and towns of central Scotland, Powfoulis Manor is also well situated for access to the highlands to the north. The A84 from Stirling is a main route into the Highlands leading to Callander and onto Loch Earn, Crianlarich, Fort William and Oban. The Trossachs and Loch Lomond to the west are also highly accessible. There are therefore opportunities for many outdoor activities including climbing, hill walking, water sports, fishing, shooting and stalking.

Square Footage: 12,798 sq ft


Acreage: 17.05 Acres

Directions

Using sat nav, the postcode FK2 8PR takes you directly to Powfoulis Manor.

Additional Info

GENERAL REMARKS

Services: Mains electricity and water. Drainage to septic tank. Hot water and most of the heating is electric. Private LPG supply fuels central heating to part of the owners’ apartment.

Local Authority, tax band and use class: Powfoulis is in Falkirk Council. Its use class is part hotel/part residential. It has a commercial rateable value of £18,450 per annum. The residential part (first floor owners’ apartment) is in Tax Band D.

Miscellaneous: Powfoulis Coach House and Powfoulis Lodge are under separate ownership and not included in the sale. Both properties have a right of access over the drive, and are responsible for a share of the maintenance (10% Powfoulis Coach House and 5% Powfoulis Lodge). The owners of Powfoulis Manor have a right of access over the private drive between their gates and the public road and are responsible for maintaining this section, along with the other two aforementioned properties.

Listing: Powfoulis Manor is Category B Listed.

EPC: EPCs are available upon request. Section 63 report prepared for the main house.

Fixtures & Fittings: All fitted carpets, curtains, blinds, light fittings and integrated white goods are included in the sale. The business/ trade equipment and furniture are available by separate negotiation.

Hotel Business: Part of Powfoulis Manor has been run as a hotel since the 1950s. Business accounts can be provided on request.