Soup queen Audrey Baxter has put her mansion – complete with separate gyms – up for sale at nearly £1million.
The nine-bedroom Dunkinty House at Elgin in Moray has been Ms Baxter’s home for many years.
According to the Sunday Times Rich List last year, Audrey Baxter and family were worth £86 million – making her the 12th richest woman in Scotland.
Estate agents Galbraith said the stunning property was a “very impressive house” located in a private and secluded position on the outskirts of Elgin.
It is on the market for offers over £995,000.
Dating from 1878, and forming a quadrangle around a “charming enclosed courtyard,” the house provides extensive and very well appointed accommodation over two storeys with five good sized public rooms, up to nine bedrooms and extensive ancillary accommodation.
“One of the most appealing features of the house is its flexibility, offering the ability to be occupied in part or as a whole depending on requirement,” said the agents.
“It is currently a wonderful family home with manageable yet impressive reception rooms, but also has potential to be used a boutique hotel or guest house.”
Not surprisingly, the kitchens are “superb” with a breakfasting kitchen, Wolf range cooker, Sub Zero American style fridge freezer and Belfast sink.
There is a wine cellar on the ground floor along with a store room, games room, laundry room, bathroom, dog room/10th bedroom and three separate gymnasiums.
Ms Baxter has been in a long-term relationship with Keith Bell, a keen bodybuilder and tug-of-war enthusiast.
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On the first floor, a split level landing leads to a passage and accesses the main bedrooms.
A “magnificent master suite” has a large bedroom, adjoining dressing room and a “magnificent bathroom” with a shower and deep set bath overlooking the garden.
“In addition to tasteful, high quality kitchen and bathroom fittings, the house has many fine period features one would hope to find in a house of this age and character,” said Galbraith.
“These include tall corniced ceilings, open fireplaces, working timber shutters, servant’s bells and large sash and case windows that flood the interior with natural light. The house is heated using gas fired central heating and is connected to mains water and electricity.
“Outside the grounds are no less impressive than the house and the extensive effort and work the current owners have put into the garden is clear to see.
“The garden has been designed and planted to maintain its colour from spring throughout the summer and well into late autumn. In addition, there are some useful outbuildings, a tennis court, 500 sq. ft. of raised beds, two greenhouses, fruit cages and an orchard.”
The reason for Ms Baxter’s move has not been revealed by the agents. A spokeswoman for the businesswoman also declined to comment and said it was “a private matter.”
But a source said: ”She is spending more time in Edinburgh these days.”
Earlier this year Baxters Food Group reported an annual loss after booking £9.5million of exceptional costs.
