Location

Cauldhame is situated in the beautiful countryside setting of Sheriffmuir, just 4 miles to the west of Dunblane, and only 4.5 miles from the town's railway station. The public road below the property, and across the Wharry Burn, gives access to an extensive network of trails through woodlands and fields on the neighbouring Kippendavie Estate, many of which have been recently constructed to provide recreational opportunities for walkers and cyclists.

Dunblane is one of the country's smallest cathedral cities and lies between the rugged mountain peaks of Perthshire to the north and the rich fertile Carse of Stirling to the south. The magnificent cathedral is the focal point of this charming town which has a population of around 9,000 residents. Dunblane has a variety of local shops and convenient supermarkets as well as cafés, restaurants and pubs. It also offers good recreational facilities which include tennis, squash and bowling clubs and a golf club.

The world-renowned Gleneagles hotel is only 11 miles away, and offers a wealth of facilities including three championship golf courses: the King's, The Queen's and the PGA Centenary, which was the course venue for the 2014 Ryder Cup. The hotel's many other facilities include its spa; leisure club; equestrian, shooting and gun dog schools; cycling, walking and running tracks; tennis; falconry and off road driving. Its restaurants include the late Andrew Fairlie's famed two Michelin star restaurant.

There are three primary schools in the vicinity which feed Dunblane High School. There is also a good selection of nursery schools and private schools nearby including Ardvreck and Morrison's Academy in Crieff, Fairview International School in Bridge of Allan, and Dollar Academy. Strathallan School is at Bridge of Earn, to the south of Perth.

Dunblane is well placed for road and rail connections to all the major towns and cities of central Scotland. The pivot of the motorway network is only 12 miles to the south with the M9 and M80 giving quick access to Edinburgh (41 miles) and Glasgow (31 miles) respectively. The A9 has dual carriageway all the way to Perth (23 miles). Edinburgh International Airport is 39 miles, and Glasgow International Airport is 44 miles, both offering an excellent range of international flights, including direct routes to multiple major cities in North America.

All distances are approximate.

Description

Cauldhame sits in an elevated position, on the western edge of the Ochils above Dunblane, overlooking the moor, on which the Battle of Sheriffmuir took place during the Jacobite rising in 1715.

The ownership of Cauldhame and the neighbouring lands can be traced back to King James II of Scotland in the 15th Century and has passed through several owners since then. The present house was originally a farmhouse dating back to the early 17th Century and is thought to have been used an Inn as it was located on the drove road connecting the Highlands to the cattle markets at Stirling and Falkirk. The house was converted to a residential dwelling in about 1860, at which time the tower and drawing room were added. The name was changed to "Blair Ochil" and was named as such on maps published before 1930 but then was subsequently changed back to the original name of Cauldhame. It is an exceptional property as whilst it feels like it is set in the Highlands of Scotland, it is in fact a short distance from Dunblane and Stirling, as well as the major road and rail links of central Scotland.

Today, Cauldhame is an attractive country house, with magnificent views to the peaks of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park, including Ben Ledi, Ben Lomond, Stuc a'chroinn and Ben Vorlich. On a clear day, fourteen Monros can be seen. The house sits facing northwest to make the most of these fabulous views, however the principal gardens sweep from the east to the south of the house, and benefit from the equally attractive views towards the Gargunnock Hills to the southwest.

The accommodation at Cauldhame is naturally bright and spacious, and makes the absolute most of the outstanding views over its stunning grounds and beyond. The front door is set in the tower which opens into the entrance hall. Off here, is the sitting room with an open fireplace and double aspect windows overlooking the gardens. Across the hall is the ground floor bedroom, and adjacent to this is a bathroom. The kitchen / breakfast room sits in the heart of the house, and opens up into the conservatory. The kitchen has a central island incorporating a breakfast bar, electric hob and sink. There is also a four oven scarlet AGA, a Bosch electric oven, and a useful shelved larder. The spacious dining room sits beyond. A laundry room, store and cupboard housing the hot water tank lie at the back door, which opens up onto the rear courtyard.

Upstairs there is a wonderful drawing room situated at the heart of the first floor with a log burning stove set into the central fireplace at one end. It has large windows on two aspects providing stunning elevated views over the garden. The principal bedroom with en suite bathroom and dressing room sits beyond this. There are two further bedrooms and a bathroom with separate shower cubicle on this level. The tower stair leads on to three further bedrooms and a bathroom.

COTTAGES

Included in the sale are three traditional stone cottages set out within the old stables and courtyard buildings: Barn Cottage, Stable Cottage and Garden Cottage. Each has been fully modernised and is well presented to allow them to be operated as a short term rental business. Their accommodation is as follows:

Barn Cottage: Kitchen / living room, two bedrooms, bathroom.
Garden Cottage: Kitchen, sitting room, dining room, two bedrooms, en suite shower room, bathroom, utility room.
Stable Cottage: Kitchen, sitting room and bathroom on ground floor. Two bedrooms and WC on 1st floor.

GARDENS AND GROUNDS

The gardens at Cauldhame are beautiful and mature, with a spectacular array of azaleas and rhododendrons along with a variety of mature trees including lime, beech and copper beech and oak. The principal lawn wraps from the south of the house, around to the east side. An attractive stone wall incorporating an archway separates it from the rear courtyard. A lovely south-facing terrace, enclosed by a short wall, offers a wonderful area for outdoor entertaining and barbecues whilst overlooking the gardens. To the southwest is the original formal garden, sheltered by a high hedge and an abundance of orchard trees. Overlooking it is an original, octagonal Victorian gazebo. The two grazing fields sit to the west, and extend to about 7 acres in size. A field shelter with four loose boxes sits within, and requires upgrading.

To the east of the house, is an extremely useful range of outhouses, including a large L-shaped, open sided Dutch barn. Set off a courtyard are the water store (containing two tanks, as well as the pump and filtration systems) and a tool shed / workshop behind it. Separately, there is a linen store / workshop with WC to service the holiday rental business, with an attic store above.

There are two separate tree-lined driveways to Cauldhame: the front drive sweeping down from the north, and the back drive leading out to the south. There are generous, gravelled parking areas both to the front and rear of the main house. A fork in the front drive gives access to a separate parking area for the cottages, in front of the Dutch barn.