From The Edinburgh Evening News, 29th April 2008

Kiltmaker to sell historic castle and scrap plan for prestige HQ

A kiltmaker to the stars is to sell his historic Lothians castle – ending his dream of making it his company's global headquarters.

Geoffrey Nicholsby bought Duntarvie Castle in West Lothian nearly 18 years ago. He initially wanted to transform it into a five-star hotel, but later set about making it a retreat for celebrities to fly in and get kilted out. But despite winning a lengthy fight to get planning and ancient monument consent, the 61-year-old has given up on his ambitions and instead put the remains of the castle, on the Hopetoun Estate near Winchburgh, up for sale.

With planning consent already in place for it to become a corporate headquarters – complete with its own retail, guest accommodation and helipad – selling agents expect it to be snapped up by an international firm looking to create a global HQ. Although a complete refurbishment of the eight-acre site is needed, the castle is expected to generate seven-figure bids.

Mr. Nicholsby, who now operates his headquarters from his shop at Castlehill, said he was not willing to go ahead with his plans because the five-year battle to win consent had taken too long.

He said: "The problem is it has all gone on for so long. I'm 61 now and I don't need all the hassle of starting to rebuild it. It's a bit sad but life goes on. I feel I need a bit more time off now."

Mr. Nicholsby's business, Geoffrey (Tailor) Kiltmakers, which counts Robbie Williams and Sean Connery as customers, was to move its headquarters from above its shop in the High Street. A plan to refurbish the site was initially lodged in 2003 and it was intended that visitors would be offered a discreet shopping and fitting service with an offer to stay the night in the lap of luxury. The plans were approved by West Lothian Council but thrown out at a public inquiry. That decision was reversed, only for it to fail to achieve ancient monument consent from Historic Scotland.

Despite the consent finally being given at Christmas, Mr. Nicholsby has already moved the HQ to Castlehill. He said: "It will suit someone who wants a really big headquarters. It would be like a smaller Royal Bank. It is a really nice, modern office that you could create within the castle. There's got to be interest. It won't just lie there."

Although no asking price has been set, Mr. Nicholsby is hopeful it could attract seven figures. Andrew Smith, who is handling the sale for agent Strutt & Parker, said: "It is extremely rare to find an historic castle this close to Edinburgh, and with full planning permission, on the open market."

Sales Details

A unique opportunity to develop one of the few remaining Castles in Scotland which has full planning consent and Historic Scotland Scheduled Ancient Monument approval. Linlithgow 6 miles, Edinburgh Airport 6 miles, Edinburgh 12 miles, Glasgow 37 miles.

Duntarvie Castle dates from the early 1500s and is currently a shell consisting of the external walls. Certain original features, notably sections of the staircases and hearths, are still in place. The castle has full planning permission (Ref no. 0457/2003) and Historic Scotland Scheduled Ancient Monument Approval for the conversion of Duntarvie Castle and Annexe Buildings to Corporate Headquarters with Guest Accommodation and Annexe to kilt making, dispatch, office, accommodation, retail shop and coffee shop granted on 26 July 2006.

The proposed castle accommodation will consist of reception, bar, kitchen and storage at ground level, corporate dining and coffee area at first floor level with directors offices at the second floor level. Within the east tower are located four bedroom suites. Within the west tower is a single suite over three accommodating sitting room, bedroom with en-suite facilities and a study/office floor.

Although in a rural situation, the property is ideally placed for access to Scotland's major cities. Linlithgow train station is just 2.5 miles from Duntarvie Castle where fast trains leave regularly for Edinburgh (15 min travel time), Glasgow (30 min travel time) and Stirling. The M9 is approximately 2.5 miles away and links directly to central Scotland's motorway network. Edinburgh airport is only 6 miles drive to the east. The Royal Burgh of Linlithgow, famed as the birth place of Mary Queen of Scots, is characterised by its 15th century palace, its loch and the spire of St Michaels Church. There are extensive local services in Linlithgow including supermarkets, a health centre and a sports and leisure centre. Edinburgh offers all the shops, services, communication links and cultural opportunities to be expected of Scotland's capital city.

Duntarvie Castle is ideally placed for enjoying the surrounding countryside and there is a good network of cycle routes, bridle paths and rights of way locally. There are country parks at Beecraigs and Muiravonside, and the nearby Ochil, Campsie and Pentland Hills offer spectacular scenery for those who enjoy hill walking, fishing and field sports. Linlithgow has two golf clubs and there are many other quality golf courses within easy striking distance.

Full planning consent for restoration into a modern office headquarters/conference facility New Annex Development: Full planning consent for a unique mews style office/retail development in the grounds of the castle.

About 8.1 acres in total.

2.04 acres owned and 6.06 acres (99 year lease which commenced on 30/11/1992).

For Sale by Private Treaty.

General -
Offers Offers are to be submitted in Scottish legal terms to the selling agents. Prospective purchasers are advised to register their interest in writing after viewing to the selling agents in order to be kept fully informed of any closing date that may be set.

Entry and Possession -
The date of entry will be by mutual agreement between the purchaser(s) and the seller.

Viewing Strictly by appointment through Strutt & Parker and J & E Shepherd.


Situation
Historical Information -

This castle represents an important asset in West Lothian's heritage and is a site full of historic family history as well as of architectural merit. It is situated within the parish of Abercorn, West Lothian, one mile north of Winchburgh.

The site has been uninhabited since the 1840s but it was a fine building of some size in its medieval hey-day. In a letter dated 1758 the castle was still standing in good repair and was described as being a mansion house. By 1826 Duntarvie Castle is described in a memorandum to the then owner Lord Hopetown as being "very damp and cold" and in need of urgent repair.

Decayed it may have become by the nineteenth century, but originally the property of Duntarvie belonged to the Lindsays, one of Scotland’s premier noble families, confirmed in their possession by royal charter in 1527.

The Hamiltons, created the earls of Abercorn from 1608, gained possession of Duntarvie in 1605, from the previous owners, the Lindsays. The evidence for this comes from a charter of 1605 documenting the legal transfer of the Barony of Abercorn and Duntarvie Castle from the possession of the Lindsays into the hands of the Hamiltons. From the 1605 charter we can date the existence of Duntarvie back to at least 1396 as the castle was mentioned in a charter of this year. The 1605 copy of the 1396 charter also makes reference to the fact that there was a castle at Duntarvie as early as 1212.

By the sixteenth century the tenants of Duntarvie were the Durham family who were entitled to a coat of arms, which, technically was that of fesses azure, between two crescents, the upper inverted.

Alexander Durham (died 1584) served as a clerk in the Scottish exchequer for King James V (1513 - 42), Mary of Guise, second wife of King James V, Queen Regent of Scotland between 1554 and 1560, their daughter Mary Queen of Scots (1542 - 76). As a crown official, Durham collected money and dealt with some legal disputes. He was also appointed the Master of the Princes Wardrobe (the future King James VI in 1567). This was an important post which would have given Durham access not only to the future King of Scots, but almost certainly his mother Mary Queen of Scots.

Although Alexander was dead by 1584, his royal offices were granted on 12 June 1580 to his son James Durham, for his lifetime, and on the same terms as those of his father. James Durham served as a clerk of the Exchequer and also the Chamberlain (a financial official) for Linlithgowshire between 1595 and 1600. He must have had access to King James VI of Scotland (later King James I of England) as he acted as a witness to various royal charters made by the King at Holyrood House, Edinburgh.

The Durham family left Duntarvie Castle in the late 1770s, partly because the last Durham, Thomas Jamieson Durham, was a spendthrift who mortgaged the estate several times over.

In conclusion, Duntarvie Castle is an important example of the home of a socially rising sixteenth century Scottish laird and his family. It is well linked to the Royal Stewart Dynasty of Scotland, itself based nearby at Linlithgow Palace, and as such represents a good, well documented example of Scotland's late medieval past.

From a report compiled by Dr Harold Booton MA, M.Litt, PhD, FSA, FSA(Scot)

Outside
The grounds of the castle extend to 1.89 acres to be sold with the castle. Further to this there is 6.48 acres of land adjacent to the castle that is held on a ground lease for 99 years dating from 30/11/1992. Part of these gardens are to be restored as part of the refurbishment.

Various pictures of Duntarvie Castle (to which, no doubt, Gordon will add).

Sketch by Nigel Tranter.

Ground plan of Duntarvie Castle.

From Canmore;

From MacGibbon & Ross;

Click to view attachment

Click to view attachment