The death of an eccentric aristocrat has ignited a bitter feud between his family and a gamekeeper who inherited part of his grand 18th-century estate. Sir Michael Maxwell, the 9th Baronet of Monreith, left a third of his £2 million ancestral home to Daniel Rippon, a former employee who now resides in the mansion, poised to profit from its sale.
The Dispute
Sir Michael's two nieces, twin sisters Katharine and Charlotte Helmore, who inherited the remaining two-thirds of the estate, are fiercely contesting Mr Rippon's inclusion in the will and the subsequent sale. They wish to retain the historic property within the family. The sisters claim that Mr Rippon, 45, who has lived and worked on the estate since childhood, should not have been a beneficiary. They assert that their uncle suffered from dementia towards the end of his life, which they believe impaired his judgment.
Since Sir Michael's death in 2021, the sisters say they have been unable to access the 328-acre Monreith estate near Port William in Dumfries and Galloway, and that Mr Rippon has refused to engage with them.
The Estate
Monreith House has belonged to the Maxwell family since 1791 and holds a Category A listing for its architectural and historical significance. Set within mature woodlands, it features 15 bedrooms and ten reception rooms, along with two cottages on the estate. The property has been listed for sale with Savills at £1.89 million and is reportedly under offer from a developer. Its contents include an extensive library of rare books, around 500 paintings, and hundreds of other artefacts, collectively valued at £500,000. These items are scheduled for auction this summer, as the sisters cannot afford the £800,000 needed to buy out Mr Rippon's share.
Family's Perspective
Katharine Helmore, 42, expressed her frustration: 'My sister and I were the closest family my uncle had left. Throughout our lives, he was always there for us, partly because he never had children and also because he loved us and we loved him. We offered Daniel Rippon a separate deal to preserve the house and estate for future generations, but he is not interested. We have no control over the sale, despite it being our inheritance. We are in a real predicament. What is happening beggars belief. We have appealed to the executors and Mr Rippon to avoid the sale, but no one is listening. We are furious but seem powerless. We want the estate kept as it is, and the more precious items should be placed in museums.'
Friend's Defence
Dr Nicholas Courtney, 81, a lifelong friend of Sir Michael who held power of attorney during his illness, defended the decision. He stated: 'Daniel first arrived on the estate aged just 12 when his father was gamekeeper. Such was his loyalty to Sir Michael that he has been rewarded in the will. Michael simply could not have run the estate without him.'
Background
Sir Michael was the nephew of Gavin Maxwell, author of the literary classic Ring of Bright Water. In 2011, at age 67, he appeared on Channel 4's Country House Rescue to discuss maintaining his estate and his hope of marrying after a lifetime of being single. He never married and was known for his eccentric style before being diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2013. He died in 2021 at age 78.
Mr Rippon and the executors of the will declined to comment.
