A coach house and steading for sale whose former owners tried to save the 'last witch in Scotland'
A house and estate have come up for sale in Perthshire seeking new owners who will be just the fourth in 200 years.

If you're looking to live life on a great estate, even finding a house for rent can be difficult. 'We probably only advertise 10% of the properties that come up,' says Ralph Peters of Bidwells of the rental market in Perthshire.
Buying can be even harder, with most owners keen to keep their estates intact. So finding a place such as Craigeuan — a coach house and steading set in Perthshire farmland — is a real rarity. It's presently up for sale via Bidwells for offers over £565,000 including the surrounding land, or just £275,000 for the house, stables and garden.
The house was originally built for the main estate house of Cultoquhey, which is now a hotel, and dates back to around 1820 when it was commissioned by Anthony Maxtone, the 12th Laird of Cultoquhey.
The family lived in the house before moving into the new principal estate house in 1833 — and that is the building which is now the Cultoquhey House Hotel, while Craigeuan — and the 40 or so acres of land which surround it, available as separate lots if desired — was sold off in 1956. The current owners are thought to be only the third occupiers in its approximate 200 year history.
The house itself is a 4-bedroom built in traditional stone and lime construction and topped with a slate roof, spread over a couple of storeys in one corner of the steading. There There is a kitchen, shower room and two reception rooms downstairs with all four bedrooms above; the rest of the buildings — and there is roughly 10,000sq ft on offer here — are storage rooms and unused stables. The whole place seems ripe for care, attention and sympathetic development.
As well as its obvious charms — not least a spectacular location, not far from Crieff and a 15-mile drive from Perth — Craigeuan has one other thing to offer: a blessing from a witch. The woods to the west of the home are said to have been where the last witch in Scotland was burned to death.
Kate McNiven, the 'Witch of Monzie', was hunted down to the cave where she was hiding in 1715. As she was led to the pyre she apparently cursed the local village and nearby landowners — all except the Maxtones, that is, who had apparently tried to stop the burning going ahead. Her predictions are said to have come true.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
Toby Keel is Country Life's Digital Director, and has been running the website and social media channels since 2016. A former sports journalist, he writes about property, cars, lifestyle, travel, nature.
-
I've seen the light: How a dark and gloomy kitchen in the Scottish Borders was reconfigured for 21st century living
When a family home passed to a new generation, Guild Anderson was asked to create a kitchen suited to modern living.
By Arabella Youens Published
-
Once threatened with extinction, the peregrine falcon has made a remarkable comeback
In the latest instalment of Mark Cocker's 'Winging it' column, he looks at the peregrine, a bird of prey with astonishing speed and super strength.
By Mark Cocker Published
-
Where Venice once ruled: The roving Venetians left handsome imprints across the Greek world, from its religion to its rambling villas
Matthew Dennison explores the lingering traces of Venice's vanished empire — and the best places to buy where it once stood.
By Matthew Dennison Last updated
-
A delightful 16th century home with some of Kent's most beautiful gardens has come on to the market
The Grange puts the 'garden' into the Garden of England.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A pristine Scottish island for sale at the price of a garage in Fulham
A dot on the map of the west coast of Scotland has come on to the market, where you'll be surrounded by sea, living off grid and be neighbours with the local seal colony.
By Toby Keel Published
-
18 beautiful homes, from charming cottages to a Highland mansion with unbeatable views, as seen in Country Life
Our look at some of the best homes to come to the market via Country Life in the past week includes Georgian manor houses, charming commutable homes and the grandest home in Newcastle.
By Toby Keel Published
-
The gorgeous Somerset home of the designer behind one of Glastonbury's chicest spots
The Manor in Hinton Blewitt is a glorious Georgian home that ticks every box.
By Toby Keel Published
-
A 600-year-old National Trust property that you can call home
This blooming property in Kent showcases the original garden of England. Penny Churchill takes a look.
By Penny Churchill Published
-
A wisteria-clad delight with lawns running down to the Thames is the prettiest riverside home for sale in London today
Deodar Road, near Putney High Street, offers unrivalled views of the Thames and is characterful in excess.
By James Fisher Published
-
Five of the most majestic properties for sale in Britain today, from a 1,700-acre estate to a private island, as seen in Country Life
Our look at the best homes to come to the market via Country Life this week includes some genuinely breathtaking places.
By Toby Keel Published