An 81-year-old widow who won a multi-million-pound Highland mansion in a prize draw has been forced to slash the asking price for a second time in her bid to sell the luxury property.
From Raffle Ticket to Property Dilemma
Patricia Moule, from Southampton, secured the dream home on the shores of Loch Rannoch in Perthshire after entering an Omaze prize draw with just a £25 ticket. The draw, backed by Dundee actor Brian Cox, raised funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK.
The stunning five-bedroom property, named Carie, was raffled in April this year. However, Ms Moule decided to put the £4 million mansion up for sale almost immediately after her win.
A Steep Price Reduction to Secure a Sale
In an initial attempt to attract a buyer in July, Ms Moule reduced the price by a substantial £550,000. With the property still on the market, she has now implemented a second, even deeper cut.
A further £250,000 has been wiped off the asking price. The estate agency Knight Frank is now marketing the home for offers over £3,200,000 – a total reduction of £800,000 from its original valuation.
The Allure of a "Breathtaking" Historic Estate
Ms Moule herself described the house, located 3.5 miles west of Kinloch, Rannoch, as "breathtaking" and "like something from a film". The estate boasts an impressive array of features:
- A private jetty and a tennis court.
- Three double bedrooms in the main house and two in a factor’s cottage.
- Five bathrooms and three reception rooms around a cobbled courtyard.
- A steading with a garage, workshop, and summerhouse.
- Formal gardens, an orchard, and around a kilometre of foreshore on Loch Rannoch.
Knight Frank praises Carie as "an exquisite, contemporary house finished to the highest standard". The property also holds significant historical value as the historic seat of Clan Robertson of Struan. Its chief was a noted supporter of Bonnie Prince Charlie during the 1745 Jacobite Rising.
The situation highlights the potential challenges of owning a high-value, remote property, even when acquired for a minimal cost. Omaze president James Oakes had stated at the time of the draw that the winner was "free to decide what they want to do with the house," a freedom Ms Moule is now exercising in a tough market.
