Pitpointie House, Auchterhouse, By Dundee, Angus, DD3

Attractive, conveniently located and substantial country house.

Description

Pitpointie House dates from 1883 and is a most attractive, imposing and substantial stone-built, south facing, 19th century house with a slate roof. It still retains much of its period character including some very fine cornices and ceilings in the main reception rooms. Originally the farmhouse for Pitpointie Farm, it was owned in the 1950s by a Captain R G M Wilson, who was famed for his innovative farming methods. However the history can be traced back earlier, as the house was built for a George Willsher, who was a wine and spirits dealer in Dundee, and it was he who was responsible for the richness of the plasterwork in the house. The property has spacious and well-proportioned accommodation and while it could now benefit from some upgrading, much of its impressive Victorian character can still be seen and appreciated. With elegant and good sized reception rooms it is perfect for entertaining, and with five bedrooms upstairs is ideal for family living. Being late 19th century it has large windows, and with much of the accommodation being south facing, has good light spilling into the main rooms. There is a former linked gardener’s annexe to the rear which, while it has been unused for sometime, would with some renovation have potential to provide separate or ancillary accommodation. Pitpointie House has been owned and occupied by the sellers’ family since the 1950s. Original and ornate cornicings are found in the porch, hall, reception rooms, landing and bedrooms, while there are splendid plaster ceilings in the drawing room, dining room and sitting room, along with picture rails in the study, sitting room, landing and bedrooms.

From the tree-lined farm drive a private drive leads up to the house. A covered entrance with a front door opens to a porch with wood panelled walls. An impressive hall has wood panelling to dado level, fitted shelved cupboards and a staircase to the first floor. Off this is an elegant bay fronted drawing room with panelled walls, two wall lights, fireplace and a shelved press. Opposite, a study has a fireplace with overmantel, window shutters, shelved cupboard, and links through to the annexe behind. The sitting room is another fine room with two wall lights and a fireplace. The impressive bay fronted dining room has panelled walls, two wall lights, fireplace and a glazed door linking to the garden, where there was once a conservatory. Also off the hall is a cloakroom with separate WC with washbasin, and a butler’s pantry with a sink and fitted cupboards, while the kitchen has units with a sink, electric cooker point, clothes pulley, shelved cupboard, walk-in understairs cupboard and stairs up to a former maid’s room with a fireplace and a store room beyond. Off the kitchen is a laundry/boiler room with a Belfast sink, stone flag floor and Rhino boiler. A lobby has a back door to a courtyard, and there are two shelved larders.

The fabulous wooden staircase, which has a wall mounted tapestry and is lit by an engraved window, leads up to the first floor landing. Bedroom 1 has a fireplace and hanging cupboard, while a shower room has a corner shower cubicle, pedestal washbasin and WC. Bedroom 2 has a bay window, fireplace and fitted wardrobes, one with a washbasin. Bedroom 3 has a fireplace and inset mirror, while bedroom 4 has a bay window, fireplace and washbasin. A family bathroom has a freestanding bath, pedestal washbasin, WC and a frieze. Bedroom 5, which also links to the annexe, has a fireplace, while a former maid’s pantry has a sink and a hatch with a ladder up to partially floored roof space.

The annexe, while linked to the house, also has its own entrance, and comprises a former kitchen/sitting room, and stairs up to a former bedroom and bathroom.

In front of the house the garden is mainly in lawn with rhododendrons giving privacy and shelter. There is a paved seating area and a former game store, which used to have a thatched roof. To the side is a tiled patio, being the site of the former conservatory, and a gravelled dog enclosure with a kennel. To the rear is a stone built garage with a slate roof and log/coal shed. Beyond is a walled garden, now in grass.

Location

Despite being only 6 miles from the centre of Dundee, Pitpointie House is situated in a rural area at the foot of the Sidlaw Hills, close to Kirkton of Auchterhouse. Dundee city centre is easily reached and the property is well located for Ninewells Hospital, the Technology Park, the universities, the Botanic Gardens and the airport on the western side of the city. Pitpointie House is readily accessible to the A90 dual carriageway which links into the central Scotland motorway network at Perth (M90 and M9) bringing both Edinburgh (and its airport) and Glasgow within easy reach. The A90 also affords swift and easy access northwards to Forfar and Aberdeen.

Being close to the county boundary between Perthshire and Angus, the area benefits from the numerous outdoor activities both counties have to offer. There is sailing on the River Tay and lovely walks to be enjoyed in the Sidlaws. There are also a number of fine links golf courses in the area including Barry, Panmure and Carnoustie, which has hosted eight Open Championships, most recently in 2018. Piperdam, with its resort and golf course, is also close by. The ancient town of St Andrews, the home of golf as well as the oldest university in Scotland, is within commuting distance, while Gleneagles is also easily reached. Fishing is available on local lochs. The pretty Angus Glens are easily accessible, with skiing at Glenshee. There are walks locally within the Dronley and Balkello Community Woodlands, which are both nearby.

There is a primary school and play park in Kirkton of Auchterhouse. Grewar’s Farm shop is also close by and the nearby villages of Birkhill and Muirhead together have a medical centre, chemist, post office, garage and convenience store, as well as the well-known Birkhill Inn. Secondary schooling is available at Monifieth High, while private schooling is found at the High School of Dundee, St Leonards, Strathallan or Glenalmond, as well as Craigclowan in Perth. In Dundee there is a mainline railway station with services to both north and south, including a sleeper. Dundee offers all the facilities expected of a major city. It is an established centre of excellence in education, life sciences, medicine and dentistry, and has an impressive range of cultural facilities, including the V&A museum and the RSS Discovery on the regenerated waterfront in the heart of the city. Dundee Airport has direct flights to Heathrow, and Edinburgh Airport is easily reached.

What3words - ///crossings.reshape.songbirds (to the foot of the drive)

Please note that SatNav may take you to the steading to the rear, from which there is no access to the house.

Approximate distances - Kirkton of Auchterhouse 1.4 miles, Muirhead 3 miles, Dundee City Centre 6 miles, Forfar 15 miles, Carnoustie 17.5 miles, St Andrews 20 miles, Perth 23 miles, Edinburgh 63 miles, Aberdeen 66 miles.

Square Footage: 6,128 sq ft


Acreage: 1.74 Acres

Directions

From Dundee take the A923, signposted for Coupar Angus. In Muirhead continue straight ahead on the B954 signposted for Meigle. After 2 miles turn right signposted North Dronley onto North Dronley Road. After 0.2 miles bear left, passing Dronley Community Woodland, and after 0.3 miles, opposite Eastfield steading, turn right. After 0.8 miles the drive into Pitpointie will be seen on the left.

If coming from the A94 which connects Perth and Forfar, at Meigle, midway between Coupar Angus and Glamis, turn onto the B954, signposted for Dundee. Continue for 6.2 miles, passing through Newtyle, and take the turning on the left signposted North Dronley and proceed as above.

Alternatively from the A90, some 2 miles north of Dundee and 11 miles south of Forfar, take the turning for Tealing and Auchterhouse. Proceed through Tealing and after 3 miles turn right signposted Auchterhouse. After 2 miles, in Kirkton of Auchterhouse, turn left at the War Memorial, and proceed through the village, and take the turning on the left, before reaching the school. Pass the play park and after 0.3 miles turn left again. Continue for a further 0.3 miles and the drive into Pitpointie will be seen on the left.

Additional Info

Viewings - Strictly by appointment with Savills - .

Services - Mains water & electricity, private drainage, oil fired central heating.

Local Authority & tax band - Angus Council tax band G.

Fixtures & Fittings - Fitted carpets, curtains and light fittings are included. Certain furnishings may be available in addition. The AGA in the kitchen is no longer in use.

Environmental Stipulations - Pitpointie House is Listed Category B.

Access & Neighbouring Farmland - There is a right of access over the farm drive in favour of Pitpointie House. There are proposals, with screening, for a solar farm either side of the drive.

Right of Pre-emption - There is a right of pre-emption over the property.

Exterior photos taken in 2025. Interior photos taken and brochure produced in March 2026.