Orbost House has a prominent place in the history of Skye.
It’s said to be the second longest continuously inhabited home on the island and is referred to fondly in the literature of Alexander Smith in 1865 as “the house under the hill”.
Originally built in 1760 as a Tack House for Dr Samuel Campbell, Orbost House remained in the ownership of the Clan Macleod until 1799.
When the clan chief was declared bankrupt, the house was sold to Angus Campbell of Ensay.
Over the decades a number of enhancements were made, and at various times it has been used as a shooting lodge, hotel, art gallery, self-catering accommodation, and a fine family home.
Set in grounds stretching to around two acres, the house, some parts of which require a significant amount of refurbishment, has the potential to be re-developed and used for a number of commercial uses.
That’s reflected in the asking price of offers around £475,000. For that you get a huge amount of property but will have to spend a bit in order to upgrade it.
Accommodation includes five public rooms including a notable round-ended library and 14 bedrooms.
Divided into four distinct wings, and built around a courtyard garden, buildings include a three storey six-bedroomed Regency house with two public rooms; an adjoining former three-storey tack house; two self-contained letting apartments and an adjoining former gallery, currently used as a workshop and storage areas which could readily be developed for further living accommodation or for commercial use.
To the west of the main house is a bothy, formerly used as a laundry, which also has the potential to be transformed into accommodation or a commercial use.
Opportunities abound for the new occupiers to continue the tradition of Orbost House being a family home or perhaps to refurbish and develop to use the property to good commercial advantage.
The house is Grade B listed and as you’d expect with a property of this age, has numerous interesting features such as sash and case windows, a Roman Doric columned door piece, decorative fanlight, plaster ceilings, and a curved staircase with decorative cast-iron balusters of a style more readily associated with an Edinburgh townhouse.
Outside, the secluded inner courtyard has flowers and shrubs nestling gently between flagstones, while a small pond adds to the relaxed atmosphere in this sheltered space.
Adjacent to the courtyard is a stone built potting shed/greenhouse with adjoining log store. There’s also a double garage with power and light.
Lying to the east of the potting shed is a composting area/midden there are garden grounds to the north and south of the house.
A right of access to the nearby sea at Loch Bharcasaig is included.
Nestling in the shadow of Healabhal Bheag (MacLeod’s Tables South) Orbost lies in northwest Skye around four miles from Dunvegan, seat of the Clan MacLeod.
From the house there are splendid views towards the isles of Rum, Canna, Loch Bharcasaig and the Cuillin Hills.
The nearby village of Dunvegan has shops, a medical centre and primary school while the world-famous, Three Chimney’s restaurant at Colbost is close by.
The capital of the island, Portree, is approximately 25 miles away where there are further local shopping facilities including a supermarket and hardware outlets, secondary schooling, a lively working harbour, the popular Aros Centre and restaurants.
For fans of the great outdoors, the area is idyllic as there are numerous opportunities for walking, rambling, fishing, stalking, sailing, and kayaking to name but a few pursuits on the Isle of Skye.
Contact: Murchison Law on 01463 709992.