Scottish castle once home to Robert the Bruce's family goes onsale for millions


Live like a king! Scottish castle that was once home to Robert the Bruce’s family goes up for sale complete with 10 bedrooms, three extra cottages and five-car garage

  • The eight-bedroom and six-bathroom castle spans 8,398 square feet, across six floors with 53 acres of land
  • Earlshall Castle was once lived in by the family of Scottish King Robert the Bruce and has an illustrious history
  • The 475-year-old castle boasts a gun room, a wine cellar, a games room,  a secret garden and five garages
  • Estate agent Savills have not disclosed the price but it was last listed for £5million just two years ago
  • Agents are expecting a Brit to purchase the ‘timeless and historic’ property renovated by Sir Robert Lorimer 

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A stunning Scottish castle fit for a king has gone on sale, with offers potentially reaching more than £5million. 

The impressive eight-bedroom property sits in 53 acres of rural land in Fife, Scotland, with an incredible garden landscaped by renown Victorian architect Sir Robert Lorimer.

The magnificent building, once inhabited by the family of Scottish King Robert the Bruce, and currently owned by billionaire shipping magnate Paul Veenhuijzen, 76, spans 8,398 square feet across six floors.

The incredible 16th century castle has gone on sale with offers in excess of £5 million expected by agents

The incredible 16th century castle has gone on sale with offers in excess of £5 million expected by agents

Built in 1548, it boasts six bathrooms, two dressing rooms and five garages, with an array of rooms ideal for entertaining and countryside pursuits including a wine cellar, a gun room and a games room.

The property is a gardener’s dream as hedges carved into pirouettes and abstract sculptures sprawl across one another in a secret garden, with three cottages sitting with the grounds for a live-in gardener to choose from.

The stunning gardens were landscaped by renown architect Sir Robert Lorimer and feature hedges carved into abstract designs

The stunning gardens were landscaped by renown architect Sir Robert Lorimer and feature hedges carved into abstract designs

Estate agents are expecting a Brit to snap up the property. Jamie Mcnab of Savills Edinburgh said: ‘All our top end buyers were international previously, including expat Scots but there is much stronger home-based interest this year.

‘This is a wonderful historic building and a fantastic property with immense appeal in it for Brits.

‘The Sir Robert Lorimer connection really appeals, he is the Scottish architect who did restoration and renovated the garden for this timeless and wonderful property.

‘This is very much for a discerning buyer with an appreciation for history rather than those who like their modern architecture.’

One of the eight bedrooms in the castle pictured here with gothic style furnishings

One of the eight bedrooms in the castle pictured here with gothic style furnishings 

A drawing room leading to a spiral staircase within a turret sits in the castle, with incredible original wall detailing still intact

A drawing room leading to a spiral staircase within a turret sits in the castle, with incredible original wall detailing still intact

The castle, owned by billionaire Paul Veenhuijzen is currently home to an expensive collection of art

The castle, owned by billionaire Paul Veenhuijzen is currently home to an expensive collection of art

The ceiling and architecture will be loved by history fanatics. The castle was saved from ruin and restored by Sir Robert Lorimer in 1892

The ceiling and architecture will be loved by history fanatics. The castle was saved from ruin and restored by Sir Robert Lorimer in 1892

King Robert the Bruce ruled Scotland from 1306 to 1329 and led the first war of independence against England.

The brochure for the property states: “Earlshall takes its name from the hunting lodge of ‘The Erlishall’ owned by the Earls of Fife, relatives of King Robert de Bruce. 

One of the study rooms has magnificent views across the 53 acres of land that surround the property

One of the study rooms has magnificent views across the 53 acres of land that surround the property

There is plenty of space for entertaining guests with this dining room decorated in traditional Victorian style

There is plenty of space for entertaining guests with this dining room decorated in traditional Victorian style

Another entertaining space sits behind a drawing room with solid oak seperating details

Another entertaining space sits behind a drawing room with solid oak seperating details

Paul Veenhuijzen, 76, and his wife Josine, 68, are selling the beautiful castle because they now live in Holland

Paul Veenhuijzen, 76, and his wife Josine, 68, are selling the beautiful castle because they now live in Holland

“Sir Andrew the Bloody Bruce was the most notorious Baron of Earlshall and he won the Battle of Killecrackie. His footsteps are said to be heard on the spiral stairs of Earlshall to this day.

“Adjoining the castle are magnificent listed walled gardens laid out by Robert Lorimer to reflect and complement the castle.

“Magnificent castle close to St Andrews. Perfect golfing destination.” 

The property was listed for sale two years ago but has since been re-listed by the same owner with agents explaining that the owner is not in a rush to sell.

In 2019, the reason given for the sale was that Mr Veehuijzen was now spending more time in Holland than the UK, alongside his wife Josine.

Floor plans of the castle give a further impression of just how spacious the 8,398 square ft castle is

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