Rispond Lodge Estate in Sutherland is situated in an unrivalled coastal setting with beautiful views to the Orkney Isles, Ben Hope and Ben Loyal.
Phiddy Robertson of Galbraith said: “Rispond Lodge Estate is a delightful, mixed amenity property comprising a rare combination of high quality elements in a manageable package and in a spectacular coastal location. Set on the shores of Loch Eriboll, this unique property provides a wonderful range of opportunities to enjoy sea fishing, sailing, walking, wildlife watching, swimming and field sports, all in an area renowned for its unspoilt natural beauty.
“Rispond Lodge has been fully renovated by the current owners to create a superb home with all modern conveniences and sympathetic to its original design. The estate has a highly successful holiday lettings business with potential to expand, as planning consent has been granted for three holiday lodges. The combination of such a superb setting with first-class accommodation is rare and we expect a great deal of interest.”
Rispond Lodge, which dates from 1765, is a strikingly handsome B Listed house. Little changed externally from when it was first built, the main house and outbuildings still reflect their original use as a small port for imports and exports across Europe.
The current owners acquired the property in 2011 and since then, in consultation with Historic Environment Scotland, have fully renovated the house to create beautifully appointed accommodation, retaining many traditional features.
The reception rooms and double height dining kitchen are of particular note, filled with coastal light and all with stunning views over the harbour.
The layout is versatile, with both the east wing and a portion of the west wing suitable for easy conversion to self-contained apartments, if desired, to complement the existing letting portfolio. The six bedrooms are on the first and second floors and are comfortable and welcoming, their interior finishes reflecting the coastal setting.
The accommodation includes, on the ground floor: entrance porch, hall, sitting room, family room, office/reading room, garden room, dining kitchen, utility room, two WCs. On the first floor there are two bedrooms, one en suite, and bathroom. The East Wing first floor has a galleried office/studio while the West Wing first floor has an en suite bedroom. On the second floor are three bedrooms and bathroom.
Rispond Lodge Estate has three superb letting cottages, ranging in size from one bedroom, to four bedrooms, all B Listed. The cottages are let seasonally from April to October, achieving high occupancy levels with many repeat bookings.
Full planning consent has been granted for the erection of three holiday lodges, with new access track. These were envisaged as cabins built off site to comply with caravan regulations and to be transported and craned into place. The site of the lodges is discreetly located, well away from the house and cottages.
The horseshoe bay at Rispond creates a natural harbour, with various sheltered areas for swimming. The stone jetty is B-listed and as the harbour is private, the owner of Rispond is considered the Harbour Master.
A stone outbuilding (also B-listed) is used as a boat house, garage and general store and within this is a barrel vaulted ice house.
Eilean Cluimhrig Island, which forms part of the estate, can be reached by boat and landing is possible in good weather.
The owner leases the sporting rights over the estate and an adjacent area of land. Although not currently exercised, this offers the potential for some enjoyable shooting, stalking, and salmon and trout fishing.
The land extends to approximately 211 acres and comprises rough grazing, heather moorland with a lochan, and low lying machair that leads to the coast. To the rear of the lodge and cottages is a paddock enclosed by beautiful dry stone walls, providing sheltered grazing for livestock during the colder months. Paths lead across the land to headlands and small rocky beaches, while inland the ground rises gently to give magnificent views across the landscape.
The village of Durness is about four miles away and has an excellent village shop, a doctors’ surgery, filling station and primary school and Durness Golf Club, the most northerly golf course in mainland Britain. Inverness is about 2.5 hours’ drive away and has all the facilities of a modern city along with its airport with regular flights to the south and Europe.
Rispond Lodge Estate is for sale through Galbraith for offers over £1,500,000.