If any fans of Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh or the more recent worldwide hit period television drama Downton Abbey wished to experience what it was like to live in a grand household, I think it safe to assume not one would dream of being part of the downstairs life. The writer Julian Fellowes re-created the twilight years of British titled and landed gentry from the early 20th century period just before the Great War until the early 20s. This was a time when privileged families living in country castles and mansions across Great Britain enjoyed all the trappings of wealth with a small army of maids, butlers, footmen, groundsmen and gamekeepers on hand to serve their every need. Fortunately, many of these country estates survive with some being in an excellent state of repair. Most are paid for by the tens of thousands of visitors who want to peek inside to get a brief sense of the life they could have had if born a blue blood over a century ago. Today a very small number of extremely wealthy individuals have acquired these grand properties, being fully aware that the expense and upkeep of the property and grounds amounts to the same as having the heating fuelled with bank notes. The extravagant running costs are no different to the readjusted cost of running the same estate in the 19th century. Even in the mid 19th century, very few were buying into this opulent lifestyle. This was because, although these properties were relatively cheap to buy, they were costing the earth to those who inherited the responsibilities that came with the dynasty. Andrew Carnegie, who at 13 years old became a poor Scottish child émigré to the United States, returned to Scotland many years later as the world’s richest man. He purchased Skibo Castle 40 miles north of Inverness in 1898 for just £85,000 but spent over £2 million on improvements. Carnegie’s philanthropy was almost unmatched in his day and his legacy included founding over 3,000 libraries to help educate the poor so they could improve their chances in life. He left a small fortune to his only child and the property remained in the family until the mid 1980s. Peter De Savary then bought it and formed the Carnegie Club which now thrives with just 350 members under the new ownership of Ellis Short who continues to invest in the 8,000 acre estate. This private members’ club is as close as you could get to truly experience what it would be like to be the Earl of Grantham or even Andrew Carnegie at a fraction of the cost. In fact, comparing the club membership fee with buying your own second home, it is unlikely the second property would deliver the lifestyle and grandeur of Skibo and would probably cost more to run. You also have to consider the headaches associated with owning a distant asset. The initial first year joining fee is £25,000 then annual membership costs £8,500 plus a supplement for every day you are in residence to cover your breakfast, lunch and dinner and most of the drinks. If you take the family to Skibo, there are a number of estate houses you can use instead of the castle. The castle made the news around the world when it was revealed as the wedding venue of Madonna and Guy Ritchie in December 2000. Its scenery is spectacular with long range views of distant hills and mountains to the west and the coast to the east. Our arrival in early May, when the Scottish daffodils were still in bloom and the grass almost fluorescent green, took just over an hour by air from London. On arrival, we were greeted by the staff and taken great care of from that moment on. The guided tour of the house took a while as Skibo is very large but you quickly realise this is no hotel, it is your home for as long as you are staying. Small, fully charged electric golf cars are available to take you exploring across the estate and you are spoilt for choice for things to do. The golf course is uncrowded and well-tended and the new clubhouse has some of the best views of any in the world. While sitting in the clubhouse we were even able to observe a pair of ospreys hatching their chicks via the live feed from a small camera sited by the nest just a short distance away. The fishing is second to none, there is a shooting range to sharpen your aim and a large indoor heated pool, gym and spa down by the loch for relaxation. Further exploration can be carried out on quad bike or horseback or you can be chauffeured around in one of the estate Range Rovers.
Spectacular Skibo Castle
