War hero's stately home at Croy – between Inverness and Nairn – for sale
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE Highland home of war hero and former Scottish Secretary Lord Gordon Campbell of Croy, has been offered for sale at an asking price of at least £2.35 million.
Lord Campbell, who became Prime Minister Edward Heath’s Secretary of State for Scotland between 1970 and 1974, was commissioned into the Royal Artillery at the age of 18, rising to the rank of Major two years later.
Twice awarded the Military Cross, he saw war service in Normandy and Germany.
He went on to carve out a remarkable academic and diplomatic career which took him from the Cabinet Office to the Foreign Office and the British embassy in Vienna in 1956. He left the Foreign Office the following year and went into a family partnership running the Holme Rose farms and estate near Croy.
This is the first time the 358-acre estate has come on the market since it came into Campbell family ownership in 1957.
Holme Rose is an A-listed Georgian country house with stunning views overlooking the estate grounds to the River Nairn.
It still retains period features including ornate cornicing, sash and case windows and original open fireplaces. The accommodation includes three reception rooms, eight principal bedrooms and four bathrooms, as well as two flats located on the first floor with a further six bedrooms combined.
Also included in the sale are three estate cottages, the Gate Lodge and two detached dwellings, along with two further cottages which require complete refurbishment.
John Bound, who is handling the sale for Galbraith in Inverness, said: “Holme Rose is steeped in history having been the former home of the Scottish Secretary of State who hosted senior British politicians including three Prime Ministers, various US senators and members of European royal families during his tenure.
“This property offers a wealth of accommodation for a large family or would make for an ideal business venture given the additional cottages and flats located within the delightful private grounds."
Tom Stewart-Moore of Knight Frank, whose Edinburgh office is also handling the sale, added that the estate is also perfect for sporting enthusiasts.
“It includes 1.3 miles of single bank salmon and sea trout fishing on the River Nairn, with a 10-year average of 23 salmon and two sea trout,” he said.
“There is also the opportunity for roe deer stalking and the potential to create a small pheasant shoot within the estate grounds which could offer another viable business stream.”
Lord Campbell died in 2005 and his son has put Holme Rose up for sale.
