Knockderry Castle, Shore Road, Cove, Helensburgh, G84 0NX

The property is an A- Listed Baronial Castle built-in the mid-19th century for James Templeton, a textile manufacturer and designed by the renowned architect, Alexander Greek Thomson, with later alterations and additions by John Honeyman and William Leiper.

Thomson was a prolific architect and created designs for a wide range of buildings including churches, houses, tenements and commercial buildings. His buildings were unusual and eclectic, decorative but powerful and rooted in the Greek Revival. His most famous buildings are probably the Caledonian Road Church and the St. Vincent Street Free Church both in Glasgow. William Leiper, who was responsible for the Baronial additions to the property in the 1890s, was another renowned architect who worked mainly around Helensburgh.

Knockderry Castle is Category A- Listed largely on account of the exceptional Leiperian interior which is considered one of the finest domestic interiors of its style in Scotland. Principally, the architectural importance of the building lies in the 1896 additions by William Leiper for John Templeton, the carpet manufacturer from Glasgow who was by then the owner. Leiper had also designed Templeton-s Carpet Factory in Glasgow Green.

The property benefits from a wealth of original features including cros step gables, turrets, stone balustrades and an extraordinary wood panelled drawing room which includes a minstrel gallery and other features including period fireplaces, panelling and stained glass windows.

Internally, the main property incorporates an entrance hall, four reception rooms, multiple bedrooms and bathrooms and extensive ancillary accommodation throughout.

The property does, however, require extensive upgrading and refurbishment.

The property, as noted, also includes a separate residential cottage which provides three bedrooms, along with other public and ancillary accommodation. The cottage also requires to be upgraded and refurbished.

The castle and cottage are set within attractive gardens with mature trees, a terraced area immediately adjacent to the castle and provides sunning views over Loch Long and the surrounding area.

The property is accessible from Glasgow Airport in a drive time of approximately 45 minutes. It is perfectly positioned for access to the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park and the Highlands and Islands further to the north and west.