It seems appropriate that Bob Dylan purchased property in the Scottish Highlands, given the Nobel Prize winner’s 16-and-a-half-minute ode to the mountainous region on his 1997 album, Time Out of Mind. The Grammy-winning folk rock singer, whose blues song “Highlands” rhapsodized about the beauty of the land, bought the estate with his brother in 2006. The 16-bedroom mansion in Cairngorms National Park is known as Aultmore House.
But alas, as another Dylan song goes, nothing lasts forever. The two are now bidding adieu to the northwest region of Scotland, according to a Mansion Global report. The property was sold to Scottish whisky and spirits producers Angus Dundee Distillers, who already own facilities in the Highlands, for $5.35 million last week.
Nestled within a densely forested area of the park, the castle-like Edwardian manor was built in 1914. The main house, three four-bedroom cottages, a Victorian greenhouse, an orchard, a walled garden, a fountain, and a croquet lawn, are all scattered across 25 sprawling acres. The 18,000-square-foot hideaway was restored in 2000, and Dylan upgraded the plumbing and wiring a few years later when he took possession of the property.
The historic home’s interiors still look refreshed and retain many of its original features, including archways, timber floors, marble fireplaces, and plasterwork. A grand foyer greets guests upon entering and flows into the rest of the home, which includes 11 bathrooms, two kitchens, a billiards room, a butler’s pantry, a wing for staff, a garden room, drawing room, offices, and (of course) a music room.
According to The Times, the 82-year-old Dylan and his brother would use the property for a few weeks out of the year and rented it out for events when they weren’t around.
