Bob Dylan’s historic Scottish Highlands estate of 17 years was just listed for sale earlier this month. The now vacant Aultmore House is a historical Scottish landmark — one of the few well-maintained Edwardian country manors standing today since its completion in 1914. The 25-acre large estate sits in the northern tip of Cairngorm National Park, surrounded by undisturbed Norwegian pine forests and stunning mountain views. The vast estate is filled with quiet corners for contemplation, perfect for reprieve from the media and critics of the controversially outspoken poet-rockstar.
Dylan’s music career spans over 60 years, with his early folk work considered to be synonymous with the anti-establishment spirit of the war-ridden 1960s, sung by many as anthems of the US civil rights movement. At age 82, Dylan is the recipient of ten Grammys, an Academy Award, a Pulitzer Prize and still tours regularly. Unable to visit Aultmore since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, Dylan has finally decided to put the property up for sale, accepting offers in excess of US$3.9 million.
An Expansive Interior
Significant renovations in the late 2000s have since brought the power, heating and water systems up to contemporary standards while preserving the home’s period details. The main 1705m² house lies at the end of a private tree-lined driveway, including 16 bedrooms and 11 bathrooms. One is greeted by a grand limestone staircase with wrought iron and wooden balustrade upon entering, four reception rooms all featuring Adam-style marble fireplaces awaiting them.
To host guests, the house boasts dining, sitting, drawing, billiards and even music rooms. Three kitchens and a basement that includes storage, a workshop and a coal cellar complete the house. The estate consists of beautiful gardens adorned with fountains and quaint statues, as well as stone gazebos offering shade from the afternoon sun. There are also greenhouses where the owner can grow their own produce.
Treasured History
Aultmore House was built at the start of the 20th century by the son of a successful Scottish merchant who first noticed the isolated hill on one of his many hikes in the region. Much of the house today still features the original Edwardian architecture which eschewed the closed-in, wood-clad style of Victorian architecture in favour of open and light-filled rooms and hallways. The main rooms at Aultmore were oriented to the south, where the lop-sided seasonal sun of a northern climate could advantage as much as possible the panoramic views of the Cairngorm mountains.
Water used to be supplied by a reservoir three miles away, propelled by gravity to the attic before being distributed by hundreds of meters of pipes to individual rooms and to two outdoor fountains. Each main room had its own distinctive pattern of plaster moulding and fireplace, with both Scottish and imported materials used in the detailing including limestone, marble, brickwork and woods.
Three cottages were eventually added to the estate grounds by later owners for staff of the estate. These have since become holiday homes open to the public for rent. The gardens also feature apple trees with brass markers noting the names of the former tenants who planted them.
Other notable points in the history of Aultmore include the Second World War when it was consigned as a convalescent hospital, as well as when it housing a private international school for young women in the 1960s through the 1970s when it was owned by the school’s headmistress.
Surrounded by Nature
Cairngorm National Park is known for its bird life, with ospreys and rare capercaillie nesting nearby. Opportunities for hiking, biking and fishing abound, with one of Scotland’s best fishing locations, the River Sprey, only a mile away. The popular Whisky Trail begins nearby, with numerous castles, golf courses and the Cairngorm ski area just a short drive away Several golf courses, plus the Cairngorm ski area are nearby.
The estate is also close to local communities, lying just outside the village of Nethy Bridge. You can drop by the village’s pubs for a beer, while more extensive shops and restaurants are available further down south in the nearest town, Aviemore.
The listing is held by Tom Stewart-Moore of Knight Frank. For more information on the listing, click here.
For more property reads, click here.