9 bed detached house for sale

Corse House, Lumphanan, Banchory, Aberdeenshire AB31

Handsome substantial detached Italianate styled country residence in a beautiful setting.

Description
Corse House was built in the mid 19th century by James Ochoncar Forbes of Corse, second son of Sir John Forbes, 7th Baronet of Craigeivar, following the division of the previously unified Corse and Craigievar estates.

On inheriting Corse, he chose not to reside in Corse Castle and instead established a new family home, Corse House as its replacement. The house was built to serve as the principal residence of the estate, marking a direct transition from the older castle to a more comfortable and refined country house, while maintaining a close connection to Craigievar Castle and the wider Forbes lineage.

From the outset, Corse House was designed not only as a residence, but as a complete country estate. It originally featured a large conservatory or orangery style garden room for the cultivation of exotic plants alongside well developed grounds. Features that speak to both the lifestyle and standing of the period.

Dating back to about 1863, the property comprises a Category B Listed two storey substantial detached Italianate country residence. Within a captivating rural setting close to Royal Deeside, the generous accommodation includes a striking tower. Internally, the layout is centred around a galleried hall and with one of three main reception room with colonnades of Corinthian columns and semi circular arched windows. There is a small cellar below the reception hall/stairway, accessed from the north wing passage via a stairway with stone steps. It has a stone flagged floor, and is fitted with some stone shelving.

Opportunities to acquire a property combining such architectural distinction, historical significance and transformative potential are exceptionally rare, and Corse House offers a truly compelling prospect for those seeking to create something extraordinary.

Rich in character and steeped in history, the house occupies an enviable position within Aberdeenshire’s unspoilt countryside. Its elegant proportions and classical detailing reflect the style and confidence of its era, while its relationship with the adjacent castle ruins lends an undeniable sense of romance and narrative. The surrounding landscape, once designed to complement both house and castle, continues to provide a picturesque backdrop that enhances the sense of arrival and quiet seclusion.

Internally, Corse House offers extensive and adaptable accommodation arranged over generous proportions, providing a blank canvas upon which a new owner can realise their own vision. The interiors retain a sense of grandeur and scale, with well-proportioned principal rooms that invite restoration and reimagining in equal measure. Whether restored as a distinguished private residence or thoughtfully adapted for alternative lifestyle or hospitality use, the house offers considerable flexibility to suit a wide range of aspirations.

The property presents clear opportunities for renovation and modernisation, allowing an incoming purchaser to shape its future in accordance with their own requirements and design preferences. Rather than prescribing a single course, Corse House offers freedom, creativity and imagination. A chance to balance the preservation of its historic character with the introduction of contemporary comfort and style. Buyers will no doubt appreciate the opportunity to tailor the accommodation to their individual needs, supported by available plans, imagery and detailed reports.

Ultimately, Corse House represents a unique and exciting opportunity to acquire a property of scale, beauty and historical importance. Whether as an elegant family home, a destination retreat, or a distinctive hospitality venture, it offers the chance not simply to purchase a house, but to shape the next chapter in its long and characterful history.

Outside: A pillared entrance sets the tone on arrival, opening onto a gently meandering driveway that leads to an expansive area for parking and turning. The immediate grounds are both atmospheric and established, with mature planting creating a sense of privacy while affording open views across the surrounding countryside. Corse House enjoys a unique and historic connection with the nearby Corse Castle. Whilst not included in the sale, its presence enriches the setting and contributes to the estate’s enduring character and sense of heritage. The property extends to approximately 3.3 acres, offering a generous and picturesque setting, complemented by a detached outbuilding suitable for storage or ancillary use. The surrounding land remains under the same ownership, presenting an opportunity for purchasers to acquire additional acreage by separate negotiation, should further land be desired.

Location
Located on the northeast coast, Aberdeenshire is one of Scotland’s largest and most diverse counties and extends from the North Sea coastline inland to the Cairngorm mountains which rise majestically to the west.

Deeside, through which the River Dee flows, has attracted visitors from far and wide. Balmoral Castle has been the Scottish home of the Royal Family since it was purchased for Queen Victoria by Prince Albert in 1852. There is a wealth of sport on offer for which Scotland is famed: Salmon fishing on the rivers Dee, Don and Deveron, pheasant and partridge shooting on many of the low ground estates, red and roe deer stalking and the opportunity for grouse on the rolling heath hills. The area boasts numerous golf courses. To the east lie Royal Aberdeen and Trump International, both well regarded links course.

The Cairngorms National Park known as a stronghold for many rare and endangered species of flora and fauna is situated to the west of the property and offers a wide range of outdoor activities including hill walking, skiing, mountain biking and wildlife spotting. The steeper mountains at The Lecht and Aviemore offer skiing when winter conditions are suitable and endless walking challenges throughout the year.

Energy Capital of ‘Europe’ and a vibrant hub for many years, the city of Aberdeen is home to two universities: Aberdeen University and Robert Gordons University. Cultural facilities include a recently extended and refurbished Art Gallery, Maritime Museum, music hall and theatre. P & J Live is the northeast of Scotland main arts and events venue, boasting world-class conference and exhibition facilities along with a superior 15,000 capacity arena. Aberdeen Beach can be found a short distance from Aberdeen city centre and the area is also where Pittodrie Stadium is located, which is home to Aberdeen Football Club. Aberdeen International Airport is well serviced and there is a mainline east coast train service with frequent journeys to London King’s Cross and rail links further north to Inverness and south to Gleneagles and Edinburgh. Private schools include Robert Gordon’s College, Albyn School, St Margaret’s (girls) and the International School of Aberdeen. Gordonstoun is a co-educational private school for boarding and day pupils for children between the ages of 8 – 18.

The nearby village of Lumphanan has its own pre-school and a primary school which has recently been extended, along with a village shop, hotel with public bar and a small tearoom. Lumphanan is just 30 miles from the centre of Aberdeen giving an easy, traffic free journey of around 45 minutes to the city centre or airport. Aberdeen International Airport has at least eight flights daily to London and operates routes to many other destinations including Amsterdam and Paris. The mainline railway runs frequent daily express services to London as well as regular services to other parts of the country and an excellent overnight sleeper service to London.
Along with a short, but challenging, nine-hole golf course, Lumphanan has a recently refurbished multi sports court maintained by the Lumphanan Community Recreation Association (lcra) along with a flood lit sports training area situated in the large play park. Other 18 hole golf courses are available in Deeside . The lcra members also organise Scotland's first 10 km run of the year, known as the ‘Detox’, that has been running since 2004 on 2 January. The race starts and finishes in Lumphanan, is mostly on road, passing through countryside. Local and long-distance footpaths can be accessed from Lumphanan including a direct link to the Deeside Way. The many cycling routes include Tarland Trails the only purpose built Mountain Bike Trail Centre in Aberdeen.

Aboyne is an attractive small 19th century town in Royal Deeside and the main centre for this rural district. There is a supermarket, academy and primary schools and an excellent community centre providing theatre/cinema, full size swimming pool, badminton courts, library and gym. The town also has a health centre with five resident doctors, weekly optometrist and audiometric clinics and a cottage hospital. The local council snow base is close by ensuring that Aboyne's roads and pathways are always clear even in heavy snowfalls as well as the main routes to all important centres. Further afield on Deeside numerous skiing and other mountain-based activities are close at hand. Aboyne’s, 18 hole golf course is the oldest club in Royal Deeside and there is a thriving tennis club with four all weather courts.

Acreage:
3.5 Acres



Additional Info
General: To ensure a smooth and efficient viewing process for both our clients and prospective purchasers, we kindly request that viewings are arranged for parties who are in a verified position to proceed, with funding confirmed or agreed in principle for the right home. This should be supported by confirmation from a solicitor, accountant, or financial adviser. We hope you understand that this approach allows us to prioritise genuine interest and provide the best experience for all involved.

Viewings: Strictly by appointment with Savills on Services: Mains electricity and water. Private drainage. Oil central heating. The majority of the windows are timber framed single glazed sash and casement windows. Many of the windows have operating shutters.

Miscellaneous: The vendor has commissioned other reports and these can be shared with parties who are in a position to proceed.

Fixtures & Fittings: Standard fixtures and fittings are included in the sale.

Servitude rights, burdens and wayleaves: The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations and wayleaves, including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cable, drains and water, gas and other pipes, whether contained in the Title Deeds or informally constituted and whether referred to in the General Remarks and Stipulations or not. The Purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied himself as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others.

Possession: Vacant possession and entry will be given on completion.

Offers: Offers, in Scottish legal form, must be submitted by your solicitor to the Selling Agents. It is intended to set a closing date but the seller reserves the right to negotiate a sale with a single party. All genuinely interested parties are advised to instruct their solicitor to note their interest with the Selling Agents immediately after inspection.

Deposit: A deposit of 10% of the purchase price may be required. It will be paid within 7 days of the conclusion of Missives. The deposit will be non-returnable in the event of the Purchaser(s) failing to complete the sale for reasons not attributable to the Seller or his agents.