The central axis of Kinross House and its gardens focus on Loch Leven Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned.

A country house, once described by novelist and journalist Daniel Defoe as “the most beautiful piece of architecture in all Scotland, perhaps in all Britain,” is for sale for the first time in more than 230 years.

Anne Porter Properties’ associate, Knight Frank, is looking for offers of over £4,250 million for Kinross House, on Loch Leven in Kinross-shire.

Designed and built for himself between 1685 and 1693, Kinross is the masterpiece of Sir William Bruce, who introduced classical architecture to Scotland. The house, which sits in 76 acres and has magnificent formal gardens, is a classic Palladian mansion and regarded as Sir William’s finest work. His other commissions included the rebuilding of Holyrood House in Edinburgh and Hopetoun House, South Queensferry.

The location of Kinross House was selected so that the central axis of the new house and the gardens focused towards Loch Leven Castle where Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned. Internally, Kinross House has accommodation over three floors including five reception rooms, a first floor ballroom, eight bedrooms and a self-contained two bedroom flat.

The listed price includes two gate lodge cottages and a stable courtyard consisting of four cottages, a flat and outbuildings. The buyer will also have the right to put two boats on Loch Leven to fish its world-renowned trout.

Lanice Steward, MD of Anne Porter Knight Frank believes Kinross House will attract interest from national and international buyers because it was the leading country house in Scotland for hundreds of years and was built to welcome people rather than as a fortress.

In 1777, Kinross and the surrounding estate were bought by George Graham, the great-great-great grandfather of the current owners. The house was then passed down to the Montgomery family in 1819 when Sir James Montgomery married George Graham’s daughter, Helen. In 1902, after the house had been unoccupied for more than 18years, Sir Basil Montgomery inherited the estate and it has been continually lived in by the Montgomery family since then.

Call Lanice Steward on 021 671 9120 or email lanice@anneporter.co.za.