Orchil Castle, Braco, By Gleneagles, FK15

History

Orchil Castle, a magnificent Category B Listed, Scots Baronial residence near Braco, was commissioned in 1867 by Rev John McDougall of Dundee and designed by renowned architect Andrew Heiton Junior, the property is widely regarded as one of Heiton’s most ambitious and successful country house projects. The estate later came under the ownership of Rev Thomas Crawford in 1907. Though the castle’s grandeur was twice threatened by major fires—in 1917 and again in 1967, which destroyed the roof—the property survived and retained much of its character.

The house has experienced many colourful chapters throughout its history. In the 1920s, Orchil Castle hosted dignitaries including the Duke of York, the future King George VI, and George, Duke of Kent. During WWII, Colonel Dawson, then the owner, kept watch for enemy aircraft from the tower. After the war, shifting fortunes saw the estate briefly function as a foster home, and later, a local farmer allowed his sheep and pigs to roam splendid panelled rooms before restoration began in earnest.

Description

Boasting a commanding main tower, crow-stepped gables, and signature turrets with spires, Orchil Castle is set in scenic parkland with panoramic views sweeping towards the Ochil Hills. 

All four façades present distinct aspects of the remarkable Scots Baronial design. To the rear, a sheltered courtyard framed in a U-shape, adds intimacy and charm to the estate.

Internally, the castle features a grand reception hall and spacious yet manageable rooms. The layout currently includes four principal bedrooms, a self-contained three-bedroom flat with a private entrance, and a space where a chapel once stood, all offering versatility for modern living and entertaining.

This exclusive property presents a rare and unique opportunity to acquire a Scottish Castle, an architectural gem with a fascinating history and limitless future potential.

Accommodation

Experience the grandeur and promise of this remarkable residence, set within landscaped parkland and approached by a sweeping tarmac driveway. The distinguished entry leads visitors past expansive lawns, charming stonework, and ornamental details, culminating at a stately arched doorway.

The grand double-height reception hall, complete with a sweeping staircase and impressive stone fireplace, creates an immediate sense of occasion upon arrival.

The ground floor’s elegant drawing room, flooded with natural light from broad bay windows to the south and west, offers the perfect setting for entertaining beside a striking solid-fuel fireplace. With rich wood panelling and garden access, the inviting sitting room is ideal for relaxing and entertaining.

The kitchen appointed with classic cabinetry and a Raeburn oil-fired cooker has an expansive south-facing outlook over the loch.  Additional flexible spaces on this level include a panelled anteroom with fireplace, a traditional office, and a dining room with a grand open fireplace and captivating south and east views.

The striking staircase ascends to a galleried first floor, where the principal bedroom enjoys tranquil loch views, a feature fireplace, and a large en-suite bathroom with walk-in shower, bath, heated towel rails, and period tiling. Three further bedrooms on this floor each offer unique vistas and fireplaces, including excellent storage, south-facing windows and access to another bathroom featuring classic finishes.  There is room on this floor to create further bedrooms and bathrooms.

The east wing flat is perfect for guest accommodation or multi-generational living, comprising a light-filled kitchen and living space, three spacious bedrooms, a shower room, and a private corridor with spiral staircase.

On the lower ground floor, flagstone cellars provide generous storage, brimming with potential for wine, utility rooms or further development.

The second floor includes an expanse of undeveloped space with original wooden floors and exposed stone walls, ideal for creating further accommodation or leisure facilities. Twin hot water cylinders serve the first-floor bathrooms. At the very top, a charming tower room with curving bay window and porthole windows delivers panoramic views southward across the estate and loch. Note these are in need of extensive renovations, the potential however is endless.

Orchil Castle offers the opportunity for a bespoke modernisation with its beautifully proportioned accommodation set amidst picturesque parkland.

The Cottage

Nestled just north of the main castle, this restored cottage was once the estate’s generator house and later served as the castle laundry. With its welcoming brick exterior, smart slate roof dotted with velux windows, and electric underfloor heating, it now offers both historic charm and modern comfort.

Step inside to a spacious, light-filled living area—perfect for relaxing after a stroll through the grounds. Double doors on both sides invite the sun in throughout the day, and the contemporary kitchen, features a stylish Firenze double oven and elegant finishings. The hallway leads to a bathroom with, an additional WC, and a separate utility area. Both bedrooms enjoy peaceful views of the castle and gardens, creating a tranquil retreat at any time of day. Perfect for ground staff or live in care takers.

Grounds

Set in a total of approx. 56 acres, Orchil Castle offers a sense of privacy, tranquility and space rarely found. Surrounding the house, terraced lawns provide perfect places to enjoy sunny afternoons or host gatherings with friends. Impressive stone steps take you down to mature parkland and onward to the estate’s serene four acre loch, which boasts its own wooden boathouse and is ringed by spectacular rhododendrons. To the east, you’ll find further lawns and a delightful garden enclosed by beech trees—ideal for family moments or gardeners alike.  Furthermore there is the tree lined south drive and 1.4 acre walled garden.

Outbuildings

For those passionate about hobbies, storage, or even business, the estate also includes a substantial shed. Positioned beyond the castle in a tarmacked yard, this impressive structure stretches 27m by 16m, it has a concrete floor and is of steel frame construction, it has water and power. It has a hydraulically operated up-and-over door providing easy access for vehicles, helicopters or any other machinery, or workshop ideas.

Situation

Orchil Castle sits in its own grounds including the south driveway and woodland. 

The property is located close to the nearby villages of Braco, Crieff and Auchterarder, the latter the location of the world renowned Gleneagles resort, famous for its outstanding facilities, including three championship golf courses, world class spa, horse riding and shooting facilities. There is the possibility to indulge your hobbies whilst discovering new ones too. 

The cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh are both only 1hrs commute away, both have International Airports giving plenty of options for travel.

Gleneagles also has a train station with an overnight sleeper service direct to London.

There is a plethora of Independent Schools to choose from in the area including Morrisons Academy and Ardvreck (a preparatory school) in nearby Crieff. Slightly further afield are Dollar Academy, Glenalmond and Strathallan all which have the choice of boarding or day pupils. 

North along the A9 opens up a whole world of hill walking, mountain biking, Skiing, mountaineering and water sports.

Information

Viewings: Strictly by appointment through the sole selling agents, Fine & Country Scotland.

Offers: Offers should be submitted in Scottish Legal Form to the selling agents by email . The owner reserves the right to sell without imposing a closing date and will not be bound to accept the highest, or indeed any, offer. All genuinely interested parties are advised to instruct their solicitor to note their interest with the Selling Agents immediately after inspection. 

Tenure and Possession: The Heritable (Scottish equivalent of Freehold) title is offered for sale with vacant possession upon completion. 

Services: Orchil Castle is served by mains water to private pipe on edge of the property, mains electricity, private drainage to septic tank.

Partial central heating from three separate oil fired boilers.  Five wood burning stoves. Hot water from electric immersion heaters.

Listing: The castle is Category B listed.

Local Authority: Perth and Kinross Council Tax Band H.  The Cottage is Band D.

EPC Rating: Orchil Castle is G.  The Cottage is F.

The roof is partly covered in fibre cement roof sheets which may contain asbestos but have not been tested.

Access: Orchil Castle has a servitude right of access over the north drive and contributes to its maintenance.  This drive is used by four other properties in addition to the two gate lodges at the entrance.

Orchil Castle owns the south drive.  This is subject to right of access in favour of the South Lodge at the south end of the drive and Orchil Home Farm at the top end of the south drive.  Old House of Orchil and Pipers Croft also have servitude rights of access.

Servitude Rights, Burdens and Wayleaves: The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations and wayleaves, including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cable, drains and water, gas and other pipes, whether contained in the Title Deeds or informally constituted and whether referred to in the General Remarks and stipulations or not.  The Purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied himself as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others.

Please be advised that while every effort has been made to ensure the safety and accessibility of this property, certain areas may present hazards or be deemed unsafe. Viewers are urged to exercise caution at all times during their visit. All property viewings are undertaken at the viewer's own risk. Neither the seller, agent, nor any representative accepts responsibility for any accidents, injuries, or losses that may occur while on the premises. Children must be supervised at all times.

If you have any concerns or require further information before viewing, please speak to a member of our team.

Deposit: A deposit of 10% of the purchase price may be required. It will be paid within 7 days of the conclusion of Missives. The deposit will be non-returnable in the event of the Purchaser(s) failing to complete the sale for reasons not attributable to the Seller or his agents.

Money Laundering Obligations: In accordance with the Money Laundering Regulations 2017 the selling agents are required to verify the identity of the purchaser at the time an offer is accepted. We use an external agency to conduct these checks. Once an offer has been agreed, Smart Compliance will contact the purchaser to complete the checks electronically. A fee of £60 inc VAT per property will apply and will be processed by Smart Compliance. If you have any queries please contact the office. Website and Social Media: Further details of this property as well as all others offered by Fine & Country are available to view on our website updates and the latest properties like us on facebook.com/ fineandcountrysouthscotland and Instagram on @fineandcountrysouthscotland. 

Referrals: Fine & Country work with preferred providers for the delivery of certain services necessary for a house sale or purchase. Our providers price their products competitively, however you are under no obligation to use their services and may wish to compare them against other providers. Should you choose to utilise them Fine & Country will receive a referral fee ranging from £50 -£300 depending on the price and product. Company number 14680051 C&D Rural Ltd trading as Fine & Country Scotland Registered office: Lakeside, Townfoot, Longtown, Carlisle, CA6 5LY