Location

Newton Castle is situated on the hillside on the far western edge of Blairgowrie where it enjoys enormous privacy whilst also being only 500 metres from the town centre. Blairgowrie is one of Perthshire's largest towns and is a gateway to the Angus Glens and the east Perthshire hills. The town is at the heart of Perthshire's soft fruit growing industry and is growing a reputation for its restaurants and farm shops. The area is also popular with golfers, skiers, walkers and anglers. There is a championship course at Blairgowrie Golf Course as well as three local courses at Glenisla, Alyth and Strathmore. Glenshee ski centre is 25 miles to the north of the town. Salmon fishing is available on the local rivers Ericht, Isla and Tay and Blairgowrie is the starting point of the 60 mile circular Cateran Trail which follows historic local drove roads up into Glenisla. The southern boundary of the Cairngorms National Park is 30 miles north and St Andrews and the East Neuk of Fife are a similar distance to the southeast. Blairgowrie has local professional services, including legal, medical and dental practices. It also has four supermarkets and a range of independent shops. Perth and Dundee are both within 18 miles and have a wider range of amenities and cultural opportunities. There is primary and secondary schooling in Blairgowrie and an excellent choice of private schooling within 30 miles. There are train stations at Perth, Dundee and Dunkeld. Dundee Airport has direct services to London, while Edinburgh Airport has a wide range of domestic and international flights.

All distances and travel times are approximate.

Description

Newton Castle is one of Blairgowrie's hidden treasures, having been in the ownership of the same family for seven generations. Dating from the mid-16th century the Castle was built on the site of a castellated manor house, the remains of which are believed to form its foundations. This Z-plan tower house has characteristically thick walls, small windows and attractive crow stepped gables. Built over four storeys the Castle commands quite a presence but the interior, whilst steeped in history, has a very homely feel.

On the ground floor there is a reception hall, dining room and kitchen with ancillary rooms. Tartan lines the halls, corridors and staircases. The dining room is floored with beautiful flagstones. It has a large open fireplace, an original glass fronted display cabinet and an intriguing round room/cellar which forms the lower level of the Castle's west tower. The first floor is accessed via a spiral stair in the eastern corner of the castle which works in tandem with a smaller spiral stair that connects the upper storeys at the western end of the Castle. The drawing room, sitting room and library are on the first floor. The drawing room feels almost unchanged since Georgian times with its Wedgewood blue panelled walls, open fireplace and decorative glass fronted cupboard. A sitting room is accessed from the corner of the drawing room and is within the tower that rises above the wine cellar. The library sits above the kitchen in a later addition to the castle where the ceilings are higher and the windows are larger. Beyond the library there is a shower room and gun/tackle room. The bedrooms are located on the second and third floors. Bedroom one uses the adjacent tower bedroom as a dressing room and shares a bathroom with two further bedrooms on the second floor. On the third floor there are two linked double bedrooms, a bathroom and a charming sixth bedroom at the top of the tower. Note: Detailed plans have been approved for proposed renovations of Newton Castle and these include installing a bathroom off the main bedroom and enlarging the kitchen. Plans are available on request.

Newton Castle Cottage and outbuildings
To the rear of the Castle there is a U-shaped courtyard of outbuildings which incorporate a single storey cottage on the western side. The Cottage has two bedrooms, a sitting room, dining room, kitchen and bathroom. Whilst it is in need of renovation, the cottage has a lovely position overlooking an enclosed partly walled garden and has potential to be occupied without adversely affecting the privacy of the Castle, ideal for a housekeeper or caretaker. The main part of the steading has been converted into a study with galleried library above and a magnificent 11 metre long games room/ceilidh barn. The remainder of the steading is used for garaging and storage.

Development potential
Planning Permission has been approved (22/00331/FLL, 22/00330/LBC, 23/00257/FLL, 23/00258/LBC) for alterations to Newton Castle and Newton Castle Cottage that would enable the properties to be adapted for use as an events venue with accommodation.

Outside
Newton Castle is set in about 11 acres of enclosed, partly walled, garden and policies which is largely grass with mature trees. Herbaceous borders have been planted nearer the base of the Castle and neat hedging encloses a garden in front of Newton Castle Cottage. The Castle has a front and back driveway with a turning circle at the front door and lots of space to park in the courtyard behind.

Fields
About 13 acres to the north west of Newton Castle are let out on a 99 year lease with effect from 1995. Please refer to the selling agent for specific conditions that relate to this lease. An additional 12 acres of fields adjoining Newton Castle to the south west are subject to a grazing let.

Directions

From the centre of Blairgowrie turn up into Newton Street (opposite the Jet garage) and the entrance to Newton Castle is on the left at the top of the street.