Former home of Sir Hugh Fraser of House of Fraser stores is for sale for £1.5m

The former home of Sir Hugh Fraser of the House of Fraser stores in the countryside near Glasgow is on the market for £1.5million.

And it may be ideal for those who like to make an entrance, thanks to its spectacular sweeping staircase and double height curved hallway. 

The property is in the stunning Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park in Scotland, and comes with 13.5 acres of land. 

It was home to Sir Hugh Fraser, the son of Hugh Fraser who founded the retail giant – now known as House of Fraser – in 1849 with his business partner James Arthur.

This property is called Cattermuir Lodge and cottage, and it was once home to Sir Hugh Fraser, the son of Hugh Fraser who founded the retail giant – now known as House of Fraser

The interior of the property includes a grand sweeping staircase in the entrance hallway that winds around the curved wall

The interior of the property includes a grand sweeping staircase in the entrance hallway that winds around the curved wall

There is an impressive chandelier at Cattermuir Lodge that extends across two floor levels of the entrance hallway

There is an impressive chandelier at Cattermuir Lodge that extends across two floor levels of the entrance hallway

The business was originally known as Arthur and Fraser, and Sir Hugh Fraser became chairman in 1927 after inheriting the business from his father.

He grew the business into a household name, with it becoming a national store chain after the Second World War, via multiple acquisitions including that of the Harrods group in 1959.

In 1985, the Al Fayed family took ownership of the group before it was listed as House of Fraser plc on the FTSE Index in 1995. It is now owned by retail entrepreneur Mike Ashley, who renamed his Sports Direct Group as Frasers Group after taking ownership. Today, 44 House of Fraser stores are scattered across Britain.

The Loch Lomond property is on the market for £1.5million with estate agents Rettie & Co via property website OnTheMarket.com

The Loch Lomond property is on the market for £1.5million with estate agents Rettie & Co via property website OnTheMarket.com

There is a total of nine bedrooms at the property, with five in the main house and four in the separate detached cottage

There is a total of nine bedrooms at the property, with five in the main house and four in the separate detached cottage

There are three well-sized bathrooms with the five bedrooms in the main house, one of which is an ensuite to the main bedroom

There are three well-sized bathrooms with the five bedrooms in the main house, one of which is an ensuite to the main bedroom

The property, which is called Cattermuir Lodge and cottage, was built in 1968. It is accessed via a gated driveway and has an expansive entrance hall with a sweeping staircase, galleried upper hall, and ornate décor.

There is a spacious drawing room, a panelled dining room, and a designer kitchen with gold accents.

Three well-sized bathrooms accompany the five bedrooms in the main home, one of which is an ensuite to the main bedroom. 

Cattermuir Lodge also boasts a leisure suite with a large swimming pool, gym, sauna, and steam room. Separately in the attic, there is a games room and cinema room that can be found at the top of a spiral staircase.

Cattermuir Lodge was built in 1968 and sits in 13.5 acres of land with stunning countryside views, around 17 miles from Glasgow and 65 miles from Edinburgh

Cattermuir Lodge was built in 1968 and sits in 13.5 acres of land with stunning countryside views, around 17 miles from Glasgow and 65 miles from Edinburgh

Cattermuir Lodge has a vast leisure suite that has been popular during the current vendor's 18 years of ownership

Cattermuir Lodge has a vast leisure suite that has been popular during the current vendor’s 18 years of ownership

As well as a large swimming pool, the leisure suite includes a gym area, a good-sized sauna, and a steam room

As well as a large swimming pool, the leisure suite includes a gym area, a good-sized sauna, and a steam room

A spiral staircase leads to the entertainment space

The large sauna can accommodate several people

Keeping entertained: The property has an extensive leisure suite to amuse friends and family

Alongside the main house, a separate cottage provides space for friends and family as it has four bedrooms. Alternatively, the buyer could use the cottage as a holiday let to help provide some additional income.

Outside, the property has formal gardens and an all-weather tennis court alongside a woodland. Beyond the property, there are views of the rolling Stirlingshire countryside.

Helen Whiteley, of property website OnTheMarket.com, said: ‘It’s not often you come across character mansions as opulent as this one that also have such a fascinating history.

‘While it is incredibly grand and luxurious, a homely feel still remains, making this property a wonderful purchase for anyone looking for versatile accommodation, potentially for multi-generational living or as holiday lets, within the close proximity of the ever-beautiful Loch Lomond and with great connections to Glasgow and Edinburgh.’

The notable spaces at the property continue outside, where there is a large patio area to entertain friends and family

The notable spaces at the property continue outside, where there is a large patio area to entertain friends and family

The small country estate is in the stunning Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park in Scotland, and includes a tennis court

The small country estate is in the stunning Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park in Scotland, and includes a tennis court

James Durward, of estate agents Rettie & Co, Bearsden – which is handling the sale – said: ‘Cattermuir Lodge and cottage is a wonderful property, with many notable features, and a great setting providing some breath-taking views.

‘While it is located in the village of Croftamie and provides all the joys of rural living, the property is just 17 miles away from Glasgow and benefits from local amenities which can be found in the nearby village of Drymen and town of Balloch.

‘As well as the leisure wing, and attic cinema room, providing great opportunities for entertaining, further activities can be enjoyed nearby at the two golf courses in Drymen, including Buchanan Castle, the world-renowned Loch Lomond Golf Course only 15 miles away. Being within The Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park only further highlights the rich offerings of this location.’