Highland gem
Steeped in history, filled with architectural gems and set in acres of stunning landscaped grounds, Arisaig House is the sort of luxurious home many of us dream of buying, writes Susan Welsh
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FROM the moment you enter the sweeping drive which snakes its way through the spectacular grounds of Arisaig House, there’s a feeling that something special lies ahead.
And visitors are never disappointed when they first set eyes on the historic mansion, which has links back to the days of the Jacobite rebellion and has since offered shelter, comfort and stylish living to many a visitor.
The house is owned by Andrew Smither and his mother, Ruth – his beloved father, John, who bought the mansion in 1981 to fulfil a long-held dream of running a family-run hotel, sadly passed away last May.
The magnificent B-listed house at Beasdale, Arisaig, is filled with architectural and historical gems as it was designed by Philip Webb, the renowned architect known as the “father” of the Arts & Crafts period.
Its location matches its design as it stands on one of the most scenic parts of the Atlantic seaboard, just 10 miles from Mallaig.
A gorgeous beach, just below the house, is said to be the spot where Bonnie Prince Charlie made good his escape to Skye in a boat after fleeing from the Battle of Culloden, thanks to Highland heroine Flora MacDonald.
The house also played a vital role during World War II as it was here that Winston Churchill’s elite corps, the Special Operations Executive, were trained to carry out sabotage and subterfuge behind enemy lines.
With its breathtaking setting and fabulous rooms, it’s not surprising to learn that John Smither fell in love with it as soon as he saw it.
His son, Andrew, explained: “My father worked in commercial property in London but always had a wish that one day the family would run a hotel together in an idyllic location.
“He spent years looking at properties everywhere from Mull to the Welsh Brecons without success before he spotted a small three-line advert in the Sunday Times for Arisaig House.
“It had been on the market for two years but, because it had been poorly marketed, no one knew it was for sale.”
After viewing the house, Mr Smither sen persuaded Andrew, who at that time was farming in Cumbria, to come and see it.
“It was harvesting time and I was rather busy, but father said, ‘Pray for rain this weekend’ as this is a house you must see,” said Andrew.
The house, built in 1864, is set around a traditional courtyard with outbuildings, and the sale includes a thriving letting business of three apartments and four estate cottages.
It was originally owned and commissioned by Francis Dukinfield Palmer-Astley, who bought the 18,000-acre estate on which it stands in 1848.
Badly damaged by fire in 1935, Arisaig House was largely reconstructed to plans by Scottish architect Ian Hamilton.
After buying the house in 1981, the family spent a year bringing it up to a high standard, rewiring it, putting in new plumbing and restoring the original features, some of which needed a little tender loving care.
Sixteen bedrooms became 12 large suites with luxurious en-suite facilities, and there are three further bedrooms.
The house was transformed into an upmarket hotel, but still retained the warmth and feel of a large and welcoming country house thanks to the efforts of the family, who included Andrew and his sisters, Jane, Alison and Catherine.
In 2002, Andrew’s father decided to retire and the hotel was turned back into a private residence.
Today, the style and lay-out of it means that it works tremendously well as a family home, especially if that family enjoys entertaining, but it could easily be turned back into a commercial property.
Ground-floor accommodation comprises reception hall; four reception rooms; kitchen and still room; three WCs; office; staff kitchen; bathroom, and two bedrooms.
The first floor has seven bedroom suites, a double bedroom, a WC and a bathroom.
The second floor has five bedroom suites, two double bedrooms, a case room and an enormous billiards room.
The basement houses a boiler room; dining kitchen; sitting room; cold room; two storerooms, and two wine cellars.
There are numerous features within the house worth a mention, beginning with the dramatic oak staircase, which features ornate carvings of half-a-dozen different creatures, including pheasant, owl and ptarmigan.
From the main reception hall, beautiful oak doors – which can be retracted to form a large open room – lead to a comfortable morning room and drawing room which has an Italianate vaulted ceiling with sweeping and curved plasterwork.
A lovely bright room with large open fire, it, like all the public rooms, enjoys extensive views across the well tended gardens.
A stylish lounge bar is the ideal place to entertain and play mine host, whether that’s paying guests or family friends.
All the bedrooms are different, each with a unique lay-out and beautifully decorated, while the en-suite facilities and bathrooms are modern and extremely tasteful.
The numerous windows throughout the house, which come in a variety of shapes from square to oblong and arched, have been dressed with beautiful curtains, all of which have been made by Ruth, who is an accomplished seamstress.
Within the house, there are two self-contained flats and separate housekeeper’s accommodation.
These include the clock tower, which has been recently upgraded and includes a sitting room, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom.
The working clock, which has a beautiful face featuring four gold swallows, needs to be wound by hand once a week – and is one of the tasks Andrew enjoys doing.
“The clock was built by John Smith and chimes on the hour,” said Andrew.
“The sound it makes is rather soporific, although I’ve twice had to stop it for guests who didn’t enjoy hearing it tick.”
The north wing of the property houses the Roshven apartment, which has its own front door and enjoys views over the main gardens.
The accommodation here includes a sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms and bathroom.
The housekeeper’s rooms are in the basement and include a good-sized sitting room, open-plan kitchen and dining-room, bedroom and shower-room.
In the courtyard, there is a charming two-bedroom apartment and, within the grounds, there are four other high-quality detached houses, each fully self-contained and with its own private area of grounds.
True to its Victorian roots, the house has extensive terraces and no fewer than three walled gardens at different levels.
The first is devoted to fruit and vegetables and the second to flowers, while the third is a lovely rock garden.
Sweeping lawns and mature beech woods lead eventually to the sea, which is just a few minutes’ walk away.
“My father enjoyed working in the garden and would spend up to six hours a day here,” said Andrew.
The south side of the house has a magnificent terrace covering some 10,000sq ft from where you can view 16 flowerbeds planted with a mass of tulip bulbs and roses. It’s a wonderful sun trap and, on a clear day, you can watch the sun set on views that extend 20-30 miles across sea and mountains.
You may think Arisaig House has everything you would want, but there’s more.
The grounds include a hard tennis court and there is a heritable right of access to a private stone jetty built on one of the many bays of Loch nan Uamh.
“My mother and I both intend moving south once more as, at times, we find ourselves rattling around the house as it’s now too big for us,” said Andrew.
“Living here has been an absolute pleasure.
“My father was meticulous about the upkeep of the house as he felt that we were merely custodians of it, looking after it for future generations, which is a sentiment I fully agree with.”
Selling agent Strutt & Parker is seeking offers over £1.75million for Arisaig House. The sale includes the 15-bedroom house and a thriving letting business of three apartments and four estate cottages. For further information, contact Tom Stewart-Moore on 0131 226 2500.
