A STUNNING Victorian mansion that once belonged to one of the country’s most famous whisky dynasty’s goes on sale for £1.75m.
The incredibly lavish Eden Mansion was even rumoured to have been a potential love nest for Prince William and Kate while they were studying at university.
Located near the historic town of St Andrews in Fife, the imposing eight-bedroom home also comes with a seperate cosy two-bedroom cottage.
Dating from 1860, Eden Mansion was built as the principle house for the Haig family, one of Scotland’s oldest whisky distillers.
An epitome of grand Victorian design, the mansion overlooks the Eden Estuary towards the iconie Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews.
More recently it is understood the stunning home was once identified as a possible residence for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
In their final year at university in 2003, William and then girlfirend Kate Middleton, wanted to move out of their student digs in the town into a more secluded location in the Fife countryside.
Eventually, however, he settled on a more humble option of a cottage on the Strathtyrum Estate – where he invited girlfriend Kate and friends Alasdair Coutts-Wood and Oli Baker to move in with him.
Now up for sale for an eye-watering £1.75, marketing agents for the beautiful Eden Mansion have said the property lies in an “idyllic setting”.
In their brochure they wrote: “Eden Mansion has an idyllic setting, secluded amidst mature trees and surrounded by five acres of landscaped garden grounds.
“It boasts an enviable location, situated at the head of the Eden Estuary looking towards the renowned Royal & Ancient Old Course in St Andrews. Eden Mansion offers exclusivity yet is only minutes drive away from the ‘Home of Golf’.”
“Eden Mansion is a grand and imposing Victorian mansion dating from 1860. The house was built by the Haig family who also owned a distillery in the nearby village of Guardbridge as well as most of the surrounding farmland.
“The Haig family are renowned as Scotland’s oldest whisky distillers, their most notable family member being the 1st Earl Haig.”
The regal three-storey home comes complete with five acres of land, a huge walled garden featuring a large period greenhouse comprised of two very large glasshouses.
Internally, the mansion features polished oak flooring, a library, a wine cellar and marble fireplaces.
The house is less than four miles away from the historic town of St Andrews, home to the one of the oldest universities in Britain.
The bustling town was greatly improved and elevated by its Magistrate William Haig, the once highly respected owner of Eden Mansion.
Previous members of the Haig dynasty have lived in the historic home, however it’s most famous owner was the 1st Earl Field Marshall, Douglas Haig, who played a commanding role during WWI.
During the conflict he commanded the British Expeditionary Force (BEF) on the Western Front from late 1915 until the end of the war.
He was commander during the Battle of the Somme, which saw one of the highest number casualties in British military history, the Third Battle of Ypres, the German Spring Offensive, and the Hundred Days Offensive, which led to the armistice of 11 November 1918.
