On the wild romantic west coast of Scotland, imposing Arisaig House, near the village of that name, 26 miles west of Fort William and eight miles from the fishing port of Mallaig, is steeped in history, both Scottish and English.
It was here, on the Prince’s Beach in front of Arisaig House, that Bonnie Prince Charlie, Prince Charles Edward Stewart, first set foot on the British mainland. And, reputedly, it was in a cave nearby that he hid, following his defeat at Culloden, before escaping to Skye and then to exile in France.
The house is currently on the market through Savills and Rettie & Co for offers over £2.25 million.
In the Second World War, the remoteness of the house and the rugged nature of the surrounding countryside was deemed ideal for special operations training.
Thus, in 1941, Arisaig House was requisitioned by the British Army as the base for the famed Special Operations Executive, the elite corps of undercover agents operating in occupied Europe that was Winston Churchill’s brainchild — and the unit that eventually morphed into the SAS.
Another reason why English buyers may be drawn to Arisaig House is that the original house was built in 1864 to a picturesque design by the celebrated English architect, Philip Webb, who envisaged a large country house with all the main rooms looking towards Loch Nan Uamh and the Moidart coast.
Building work started in 1863 and included the Gardener’s Bothy, now the five-bedroom Orchard House. The original main house was largely burnt down in the mid 1930s, but rebuilt a few years later.
Arisaig House stands in more than 18 acres of gardens and wooded policies, with access to the sea via a private jetty.
The house is currently arranged around five grand reception rooms, 12 bedroom suites and four self-contained flats. Within the grounds are four fully equipped estate houses, used in recent times as owner’s accommodation, holiday lets and for staff.
Arisaig House is currently on the market via Savills and Rettie & Co for offers over £2.25 million — see more pictures, or enquire with the agent for further details.
Arisaig: What you need to know
Location: Arisaig is a village in Lochaber, Invernesshire, located on the shores of Loch nan Ceall, approximately seven miles from Mallaig on the west coast. The nearest rail stations are Beasdale and Arisaig.
Atmosphere: The pretty village is home to abundant wildlife and spectacular scenery which draws in visitors, and also has several small shops and restaurants at its centre — including the Shellfish Shack.
Things to do: Visit the wonderful Camusdarach Beach and Traigh Beach, or have a round of golf at Traigh Golf Course.
Schools: Arisaig Primary School is the local primary school and Mallaig High School the local secondary option.
See more property for sale in the area.
Credit: Strutt and Parker
Best country houses for sale this week
An irresistible West Country cottage and a magnificent Cumbrian country house make our pick of the finest country houses for
Spectacular Scottish castles and estates for sale
A look at the finest castles, country houses and estates for sale in Scotland today.
-
'One of the finest houses in Cheshire' blends Georgian architecture, modern exoticism and space to park your helicopterPenny Churchill looks inside Stretton Hall, an exceptional house for sale
-
Marilyn, maraschino cherries and classic movie musicals await you in Country Life's Quiz of the Day, August 29, 2025Friday's quiz puts your cocktail knowledge to the test.
-
'One of the finest houses in Cheshire' blends Georgian architecture, modern exoticism and space to park your helicopter
Penny Churchill looks inside Stretton Hall, an exceptional house for sale
-
Splendid isolation at four gorgeous properties for sale around the worldFor those craving a home that offers a true escape from the world, some wonderful properties are on the market right now. Here's our pick of some of the finest — ideal for nature lovers, those in search of tranquility and Bond villains alike.
-
The market for super-prime houses in England's biggest millionaire's playground is booming — and this £10m example is one of the bestWhirley Hall is a 17th century building that's a perfect example of how 21st century updates can transform an old home almost beyond recognition.
-
If I had to spend the rest of my life living underground, I would do it in this four-bedroom house for sale in the Peak DistrictThe aptly named Underhill is a 'a work of inhabitable art' that was built in the 1970s. And there's a swimming pool in the middle of it.
-
A micro estate for sale in west Wales shows that the best things come in small packages. In this case, three of themBrithdir is a remarkable collection of properties centred around a lake and just five miles from the sea.
-
This blissful converted mill has sweeping views, a breathtaking library and gardens by a Chelsea gold medallistPenny Churchill takes a look at Stanbridge Mill, one of the finest properties for sale today in the west country.
-
Portmore has it all: A 3,459-acre Scottish estate for sale, with a signature Baronial sandstone mansion at its heartFor sale for the first time in 40 years, Portmore Estate is everything you could ever want in Scotland.
-
Location, community and charm: the enduring desirability of London's mews housesFrom birds, to horses, to beautiful family homes, the mews of London are some of the nation's most sought-after homes. But why?
