Ex-Rangers owner Craig White’s former castle put up for sale

A private train station in the grounds of a castle once owned by disgraced former Rangers owner Craig Whyte has been put up for sale.

One of Scotland’s quirkiest homes, the 19th-century station and lodge was built so the aristocratic owner of a Highland estate did not have to mix with other passengers.

The Earl of Seafield and his family would transfer directly from the train into the lodge before going downstairs to where a carriage would be waiting to whisk them to Castle Grant on the outskirts of Grantown-On-Spey.

The A-listed building, on the market for £335,000, was once part of the grounds of Castle Grant which hit the headlines in 2014 after being repossessed from Whyte.

The house has since undergone a major overhaul and converted into a unique three-bedroom property.

Kevin Maley of Strutt & Parker, the agent selling East Lodge, said: “Having completed the successful sale of Castle Grant last year, it is good to be now selling this impressive lodge.

“It has a certain grandeur, yet is also a very nice family home without the running costs of a castle.”

The opulent Baronial style train station, known locally as Lady Catherine’s Halt, has a drum tower and turrets.

It was built in 1863 by the Inverness and Perth Junction Railway Company in thanks to the Earl who allowed them to run the railway line through his estate.

The castle was reportedly bought last year by Sergey Fedotov, director general of the Russian Author’s Society, for £1 million.

The sales particulars for the lodge explain: “The property is situated within the Cairngorms National Park and enjoys lovely open views over the local countryside and beyond. The entrance vestibule leads to the hallway.

“There is a storage cupboard, shower room and a sitting room with turret room. The kitchen and dining area are open plan and this has created a relaxing, bright and airy living space with ample space for entertaining guests.”

Castle Grant was put on the market in April last year after the Bank of Scotland seized the property.

The 16th-Century pile was originally on the market for £1.1m, but the asking price was later dropped by £100,000 after an offer fell through.

Ms Whyte moved out after their marriage fell apart and Mr Whyte reportedly refused to pay the £7,000-a-month mortgage for two years.