Formerly part of Cantray Estate which once extended to 25 per cent of Nairnshire, the house has historical connections dating back to the 15th century and during its history the house and estate has been owned by only six different families.

The original house burned down in 1921 and the new house, built in 1926, has incorporated elements of Palladian architecture, with pleasing symmetry and considered proportions. Several artefacts from the original house were salvaged and are now part of the interior design.

Phiddy Robertson who is handling the sale on behalf of Galbraith said: “This is a delightful property combining the benefits of superb accommodation, a beautiful rural setting, lovely views and easy access to Inverness and its airport, about four miles away.  In addition, the property has excellent equestrian facilities with stabling, paddocks and a grass arena.

“The house is beautifully presented with well-proportioned, mainly south-facing rooms retaining many original features. The current owners have sympathetically renovated the house to an exceptional standard, preserving the integrity of its original design while introducing modern benefits. The gardens , woodland, fishing and grasslands are also exceptional. It is rare to find a country house which offers all of these benefits in one property.”

The superb accommodation at Cantray House includes, on the ground floor: reception hall, drawing room, dining room, morning room, study, kitchen, breakfast room, larder, butler’s pantry, laundry/utility room, wine store, gun room and cloakroom.

On the first floor is the master bedroom with en suite bathroom and dressing room. Four further bedrooms (one suite), two bathrooms, a shower room and kitchen.

On the second floor is a separate apartment with sitting room, kitchen area and en suite bedroom. There is a games room/ store room with a large model railway which will remain in the house.

The formal gardens create a delightful setting for the house and include herbaceous borders, terraces and named specimen trees and shrubs with a detailed garden book remaining for the purchaser. To the rear of the house is an upper level of land used for horses, with paddocks and a grass riding school, while mature mixed woodland fringes the boundaries of the grounds.

There is approximately 0.5 miles of single bank fishing on the River Nairn, a well-regarded salmon and sea trout river, and although not within the main grounds, this is within easy walking distance of the house.

The property also has garages, additional outbuildings, stabling and a greenhouse with peach and nectarine trees.

The plot extends to about 4 hectares (10 acres) in all.

The countryside around Cantray House is lush, with riverside walks and wooded paths set against a backdrop of rugged moorland and hills, while just a short drive away is the coast with its wide open beaches. The area offers an excellent range of leisure and sporting pursuits with fishing, shooting, cycling and sailing available nearby, championship links golf courses at Castle Stuart and Nairn, and ski-ing available at the Cairngorm and The Lecht Ski Centres, each about an hour’s drive away.

Croy village has a primary school and popular café and nearby Cawdor, a historic village of meandering lanes and traditional cottages, has a village shop, and pub with restaurant. Secondary schooling is available in Nairn and Culloden, while Gordonstoun School is about 30 miles away. Inverness is within easy reach and has all the facilities of a modern city including its airport, which is just 4 miles from the house, with regular flights to the south and Europe.

 

Cantray House is for sale through Galbraith for offers over £1,350,000.