Inside Perthshire’s Kilgraston School put up for sale just 3 months after closing

The school had more than £900,000 of debt when it closed in August.

By Lindsey Hamilton

November 25 2024, 9:21pm

Kilgraston. Image: Savills

A Perthshire boarding school has been put up for sale just three months after closing.

Kilgraston School, near Bridge of Earn, shut suddenly in August, claiming the potential impact of VAT changes and a roll of only 173 pupils were factors.

The Courier later revealed the school had more than £900,000 of debt when it closed.

Now, on the instruction of the Trustee in Bankruptcy, Savills is marketing Kilgraston School for sale.

The price is only available to potential buyers on application.

Kilgraston House is a category A-listed building, with the entrance archway, gate lodge, and former stables building classified as B-listed.

kilgraston school for sale — The school comes with extensive grounds. Image: Savills

kilgraston for sale — The former stables, now the junior school. Image: Savills

Savills says the school and surrounding land offer significant potential for redevelopment.

Highlights include:

A site extending to about 55 acres and more than 150,000 sq ft of buildings
More than 118,000 sq ft of teaching and boarding accommodation
A chapel and a theatre space
A 25m indoor swimming pool
A large gymnasium
An equestrian centre with outdoor arena
Outdoor tennis courts, hockey pitch and sports pitches
Three residential properties

Kilgraston House, which dates back to the 13th century, was designed by Francis Grant and later extended by Sir Robert Rowand Anderson.

The site was bought by the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1930 and opened as a school.

It features several modern extensions.

Savills say the property’s rich history, combined with its extensive facilities and scenic surroundings, make Kilgraston a unique and versatile development opportunity.

Suitable for continued educational use, the site also holds potential for hotel or leisure offerings, and residential development, subject to necessary consents.

Danielle Corker of Savills said: “Kilgraston represents a rare opportunity to acquire a site of historical significance with redevelopment potential.

“The blend of historical architecture and modern facilities offers a unique investment prospect, and we look forward to presenting it to the market and exploring how this iconic property might be transformed for future use.”