JANE Austen fanatics have the chance to own a £1m house – with its very own ‘love room’.
Auchinroath House in Aberlour, Moray, boasts a small extension on the first floor where courting couples could meet.
Over the centuries, lovestruck men and women would reunite under the watchful gaze of a chaperone.
Conversations would flow, love would blossom, kisses would be stolen and perhaps even marriage proposed within the 31 square foot space.
And now, lovers of the classic romantic novels such as Pride and Prejudice can stage their own passionate tryst – as the 18th century house is on the market for offers over £975,000.
The stunning mansion, which contains seven bedrooms, six bathrooms and its own detached cottage, sits within the breathtaking scenery of The Glen of Rothes.
Surrounded by woodland, and boasting spectacular views to Strathspey, it provided the perfect location for wealthy families to settle.
The identities of the numerous couples who made use of the room since the house was built in the early 1700s are unknown.
Sellers CKD Galbraith drawn attention to the love room in their description, writing: “On the first floor, an open landing leads to a further sitting room, previously known as the love room where courting couples would arrange to meet under the watchful gaze of an accompanying chaperone who would sit in a small adjoining turret room.”
By the standards of the day, any daughters of suitable living in the house would receive a visit from suitors in the all-important pursuit of a successful marriage.
The local Mr Darcy of the day would sweep up the grand tree-lined driveway before being invited into the impressive baronial mansion.
Once inside, they would alight the stairs to the first story, and after coming out onto the open landing would be ushered into the ‘love room’.
There, they would be able to spend time with their lover whilst a trusty chaperone took a seat nearby to ensure no tomfoolery took place.
The mansion provides the ideal setting for wannabe daydreamers, with crow-stepped gables, corbelled turrets with conical roofs and ‘fish scale’ slating.
It boasts bright and airy rooms with tall ceilings, attractive fireplaces and timber shutters.
A spokesman for CKD Galbraith, who are marketing the property, said: “ Auchinroath is a hidden gem and a particularly attractive country house.
“It offers all the grandeur of a Scots Baronial mansion and yet is a very manageable size.
“The extensive wooded grounds provide privacy and seclusion whilst the cottage would be ideal as a longer term or holiday let or as staff accommodation for the main house.”
