Shot Holes and ‘Laird’s Lugs’: A 15th

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A Scottish castle dating to the 15th century has hit the market with a guide price of £975,000 (US$1.2 million).

The property—located in the village of Auchterless, about 30 miles northwest of Aberdeen—goes back further than that in the local history books: The 2.7 acre property was the historic Aberdeenshire seat of the Barclay clan starting 1136, according to the listing with Fiona Gormley of Savills.

Known as Tower Barclay Castle, the residence fell into disrepair in the 1950s, sitting empty for 20 years until the Ellington family took on a full-scale renovation of the property.

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"This remarkable example of restoration work is testament to the dedication of the sellers and will be an incredible acquisition for the next custodian," Gormley said in a statement.

The L-shaped castle is full of historic details to make a history buff swoon, starting with the rough-hewn stone in the main hallway and a barrel-vaulted stone dining area. There's also a hatch in the wall between the passageway and the dining room, which food would have been passed through, and a coat of arms of the Barclay family, the listing said.

Plus there's a shot hole hiding behind a stone pillar, so residents could defend the castle, and "laird's lugs," or little eavesdropping holes, "within the staircase for listening to conversations in the passageway," the listing said. Other original features include timber beams from the 1500s and a panel of the Last Supper painted in Italy in the 16th century.

"The jewel in the crown is the great hall with its unique vaulted ceiling and minstrels’ gallery, the latter once a secret chapel at the time of the Reformation," the listing said.

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Other amenities of the main home include six bedrooms, a kitchen with a scarlet red Aga stove, a library and views of the countryside from the top floor.

There's also a three-bedroom gardener's cottage on the property. Additional outbuildings can be found on the grounds, including a former stable block with billiard room and a carriage room, plus a shed, a garage and a greenhouse.

Mansion Global could not determine when the property last sold or for how much. The owners were not available for comment.

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