A MANSION that was built because the owner’s wife fell in love with the magnificent view is up for sale for £1.3m.
Sir Ernest Moon and his wife enjoyed a romantic picnic on the banks of the River Tay over a century ago.
Lady Emma Moon was so entranced by the view of the river near Cargill, Perthshire, that her lawyer husband ordered the construction of a five-bedroomed mansion on the spot.
Balhomie House features crow steps, turrets and fine-dressed stone and sits among 3.8 acres of gardens, with a sweeping drive that leads up to the front of the house.
But it is the view of the river and surrounding countryside that is likely to capture the heart of a modern-day buyer, as it did Lady Moon in 1901.
The winding River Tay, the longest river in Scotland, passes a few hundred yards from the house with just a smattering of tall trees and a stretch of green lawn separating them.
Cargill Beat, the part of the river that the house overlooks, is famous for its salmon fishing and also boasts freshwater pearl mussels, beavers and otters.
The grounds also have an orchard, original glasshouses, a stone outbuilding and an old stable block which has been turned into a workshop.
There is even a terraced lawn – the perfect place to recreate the picnic which inspired the building more than a century ago.
Sir Ernest was Counsel to the Speaker of the House of Commons between 1908 and 1929. Little is known about his wife except that she came to Britain from Australia.
Whilst living in the house, Sir Ernest became well-known in the local area, and donated money to build a public hall in a nearby village in memory of those who had died in the First World War.
Estate agents CKD Galbraith describe the mansion as a “quintessential Scottish country house” with a “wealth of fine period features”.
The inside has recently been refurbished with contemporary kitchen and bathroom fittings, and a finely carved sweeping staircase connects the two floors.
Emma Chalmers from CKD Galbraith said: “From the period features inside to its extensive gardens and grounds, Balhomie is the quintessential Scottish Country house.
“Conveniently located for both Perth and Dundee, it nevertheless enjoys a secluded and sheltered position overlooking the River Tay.
“In truly excellent condition, it is rare for a property as magnificent as Balhomie to come to the market.”
