And finally…soup queen Baxter puts million pound mansion up for sale

Dunkinty House, Elgin. (Image courtesy of Galbraith)

The nine-bedroom mansion owned by Scottish soup queen Audrey Baxter has been put on the market for nearly £1 million.

Dunkinty House at Elgin in Moray, complete with separate gyms, has been home to Ms Baxter, the 12th richest woman in Scotland, for many years.

Estate agents Galbraith said the property was a “very impressive house” located in a private and secluded position on the outskirts of Elgin.



It is on the market for offers exceeding £995,000.

Dating from 1878, and forming a quadrangle around a “charming enclosed courtyard”, the house provides extensive and very well appointed accommodation over two storeys with five good-sized public rooms, up to 10 bedrooms and extensive ancillary accommodation.

“One of the most appealing features of the house is its flexibility, offering the ability to be occupied in part or as a whole, depending on requirement,” said the agents.

“It is currently a wonderful family home with manageable yet impressive reception rooms, but also has potential to be used a boutique hotel or guest house.”

As might be expected, the kitchens are “superb”, with a breakfasting kitchen, Wolf range cooker, Sub Zero American style fridge-freezer and Belfast sink.

(Image courtesy of Galbraith)

There is also a wine cellar on the ground floor along with a store room, games room, laundry room, bathroom, dog room/10th bedroom and three separate gymnasiums.

Ms Baxter has been in a long-term relationship with Keith Bell, a keen bodybuilder and tug o’ war enthusiast.

On the first floor, a split level landing leads to a passage and accesses the main bedrooms.

A “magnificent master suite” has a large bedroom, adjoining dressing room and a “magnificent bathroom” with a shower and deep-set bath overlooking the garden.

“In addition to tasteful, high quality kitchen and bathroom fittings, the house has many fine period features one would hope to find in a house of this age and character,” said the estate agents.

“These include tall corniced ceilings, open fireplaces, working timber shutters, servants’ bells and large sash and case windows that flood the interior with natural light. Outside, the grounds are no less impressive and the extensive effort and work the current owners have put into the garden is clear to see.

(Image courtesy of Galbraith)

“The garden has been designed and planted to maintain its colour from spring throughout the summer and well into late autumn. In addition, there are some useful outbuildings, a tennis court, 500 sq ft of raised beds, two greenhouses, fruit cages and an orchard.”

(Image courtesy of Galbraith)

According to the Sunday Times Rich List last year, Audrey Baxter and family were worth £86 million.

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