A north-east fundraiser hoping to open a mental health retreat has been dealt a blow – as the property he hoped to secure has gone on the open market.
Danny Thain, from Fraserburgh, is currently working to raise £3 million to create Scotland’s first mental health retreat.
He previously publicly said he was working to raise funds to secure Straloch House Estate, near Newmachar, believing it’s idyllic location and 240-acre grounds would be perfect.
An arrangement was put in place for the property to remain under offer for six months to allow Mr Thain to raise funds to buy it. He paid a £30,000 non-refundable deposit as part of the deal.
However, today Galbraiths has advertised the Georgian mansion back on the open market for £2.7 million – with Mr Thain confirming he is now looking to rent another location.
Mr Thain, who founded charity The World Suicide Prevent Project (TWSPP), told The Press and Journal that he is looking elsewhere after finance was pulled by a supporter before the due date last week.
‘No regrets’
He insisted he “no regrets” in pursuing Straloch House Estate and confirmed his goal is “still the same”, albeit “on a smaller scale”.
The four-storey Georgian mansion, which was built around 1780, has been laid out so that the east and west wings both have their own access and comes with a private chapel.
The house has 15 bedrooms, three formal reception rooms, a gym, and a billiard room with its own drawing and dining room.
As well as all this, there is also a “B” listed two-bedroom gatehouse in its grounds, which itself includes a loch and waterfall, as well as a two-acre “C” listed walled garden.
Straloch Burn also runs through part of the estate, with the woodland on the property’s grounds extending to about 135 acres.
In August 2020, Straloch House Estate was advertised on the market for £2.95m.
Galbraith’s Hannah Christiansen, who is handling the sale, said: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire a historic mansion house in impeccable condition.
“It’s secluded and private situation is of particular note, enabling the purchaser to gain maximum benefit from the wonderful grounds and policies, with meandering paths and bridges scattered throughout.
“This is an exceptionally beautiful property offering a wonderful rural lifestyle for those buyers looking to escape larger cities and have peace and space, yet only five miles from the airport at Aberdeen.”
‘Some things aren’t meant to be’
Mr Thain, who slept rough on the streets of Aberdeen for 30 days last year, completed a near three-month 4,225-mile charity cycle round Britain in April in effort to raise funds towards the property.
He also confirmed that he is reducing his £3m fundraising target, but he does not know what to, as it is “too early” to say.
Regarding the original financial goal and purchase of Straloch House, Mr Thain added: “It was a big bold goal and some things are meant to be and some aren’t.”
