Calendar An icon of a desk calendar. Cancel An icon of a circle with a diagonal line across. Caret An icon of a block arrow pointing to the right. Email An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of the Facebook "f" mark. Google An icon of the Google "G" mark. Linked In An icon of the Linked In "in" mark. Logout An icon representing logout. Profile An icon that resembles human head and shoulders. Telephone An icon of a traditional telephone receiver. Tick An icon of a tick mark. Is Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes. Is Not Public An icon of a human eye and eyelashes with a diagonal line through it. Pause Icon A two-lined pause icon for stopping interactions. Quote Mark A opening quote mark. Quote Mark A closing quote mark. Arrow An icon of an arrow. Folder An icon of a paper folder. Breaking An icon of an exclamation mark on a circular background. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Caret An icon of a caret arrow. Clock An icon of a clock face. Close An icon of the an X shape. Close Icon An icon used to represent where to interact to collapse or dismiss a component Comment An icon of a speech bubble. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Comments An icon of a speech bubble, denoting user comments. Ellipsis An icon of 3 horizontal dots. Envelope An icon of a paper envelope. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Camera An icon of a digital camera. Home An icon of a house. Instagram An icon of the Instagram logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. Magnifying Glass An icon of a magnifying glass. Search Icon A magnifying glass icon that is used to represent the function of searching. Menu An icon of 3 horizontal lines. Hamburger Menu Icon An icon used to represent a collapsed menu. Next An icon of an arrow pointing to the right. Notice An explanation mark centred inside a circle. Previous An icon of an arrow pointing to the left. Rating An icon of a star. Tag An icon of a tag. Twitter An icon of the Twitter logo. Video Camera An icon of a video camera shape. Speech Bubble Icon A icon displaying a speech bubble WhatsApp An icon of the WhatsApp logo. Information An icon of an information logo. Plus A mathematical 'plus' symbol. Duration An icon indicating Time. Success Tick An icon of a green tick. Success Tick Timeout An icon of a greyed out success tick. Loading Spinner An icon of a loading spinner. Facebook Messenger An icon of the facebook messenger app logo. Facebook An icon of a facebook f logo. Facebook Messenger An icon of the Twitter app logo. LinkedIn An icon of the LinkedIn logo. WhatsApp Messenger An icon of the Whatsapp messenger app logo. Email An icon of an mail envelope. Copy link A decentered black square over a white square.

Dundee’s Dudhope Castle could become hotel or flats as former military base to be sold

Dudhope Castle.
Dudhope Castle.

Living in a castle is a dream for many that could soon become reality as Dundee’s Dudhope Castle is to be sold.

The former military base, close to Dundee city centre, will be sold after lying empty for two years.

Most recently used as Dundee City Council offices, Dudhope Castle will be marketed to developers, with a hotel, homes and offices all suggested as potential uses.

Dudhope Castle.

Councillors will be asked to approve marketing the A-listed building for sale next week.

A report by Robin Presswood, the council’s executive director of city development, said Dudhope Castle is “surplus to operational requirements”.

“Preliminary discussions have taken place with the planning service, regarding possible future uses of Dudhope Castle, to ensure the use will maintain the historic features of the castle.

“The subjects are likely to be suitable for redevelopment as hotel, offices, serviced apartments, or residential.

“Redevelopment of the subjects will ensure the condition and integrity of the
building does not deteriorate over time and secures the long-term future of an important heritage building.”

History

Dudhope Castle has a rich history and is one of the oldest buildings in Dundee.

It was originally built in the late 13th Century by the Scrymgeour family, who were appointed Hereditary Constables of Dundee by William Wallace.

The original castle was replaced in the 1460s and further extended in 1580 to its current L-plan structure.

In 1795 a lease was taken by the Ordnance Office for the Castle and the Park of Dudhope for a period of 95 years. It served as a military base until 1879.

Crowds at Dudhope Castle celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1897.

Most recently it was used as civil offices but was vacated in 2018.

The castle’s grounds include parking, tennis courts and a multi use game area.

Sale conditions

The report states any potential buyer will have to follow stringent rules, to be agreed with Historic Environment Scotland and the council.

“The council’s planning service has advised that preservation of existing external features surrounding the castle, including the historic lamp posts and floral garden, would be expected.

“Noting the importance of the buildings and location, it will be expected that prospective purchasers will require to evidence high quality development credentials and significant levels of sensitivity to their development proposals and how they might impact the building and local environment.

“Development phasing and restoration is likely to be required as a condition of any planning permission that would be required prior to disposal being finalised and redevelopment commencing.”

Dudhope Park.

No building will be allowed in the immediate surrounding area of the castle, to protect its A-listed status, but “limited new development” will be permitted elsewhere on the grounds.

The council’s city development committee will be asked to approve marketing the castle for sale on Monday.

A Dundee City Council spokesperson said: “Where the recommendation to the city development committee to market Dudhope Castle is approved the property shall be marketed for sale on the council’s ‘invest in dundee’ website.

“Once an appropriate marketing period has been completed all offers will be scrutinised  and a report, detailing such offers, will be brought to members with associated recommendations.”