Bardowie Castle put on the market

THE motivational guru, Jack Black, has put his lavish historic castle up for sale after being told last year that he could not operate a business from it.

Mr Black, the founder of MindStore, the motivational company, has put his palatial home, Bardowie Castle, on the market expecting it will fetch more than 1.2 million.

Last year, the positive thinker sought permission to use the castle, near Glasgow’s posh Milngavie suburb, to operate his wife’s software company.

Mr Black, 46, who once worked in Glasgow’s run down Easterhouse area, argued that businesses have been run from the castle stables in the past and previous residents ran a fitness centre from the premises. But he lost his battle with council chiefs after his neighbours objected to the proposals.

Now he is to sell the estate, which dates back to 1566 and was once the home of relatives of Rob Roy MacGregor.

Bardowie Castle, which had additions made to it in the 17th and 18th centuries, has been “sympathetically restored” and upgraded, costing Mr Black an estimated 1 million.

The A-listed property has a main house with entrance vestibule and reception hallway leading to what is described as an “outstanding drawing room” with views across Bardowie Loch.

The sandstone building also has a banqueting kitchen opening out into a living room as well as a barrel vaulted dining room, library and utility larder.

It has a master bedroom with dressing room, bathroom and sauna en-suite and a further six double bedrooms, four of which are also en-suite.

Potential buyers can look forward to entertaining in the historic castle’s great hall, which still retains its original ramparts and beamed roof, as well as a 56ft-long games room.

For the asking price, buyers will also get a self-contained two-bedroom cottage and a one-bedroom flat.

The property also boasts a courtyard, tennis court and boating and fishing rights.

Staff at the selling agents, G&S Properties, in Bearsden, were yesterday reluctant to talk about the sale, but a spokesman confirmed they were looking at offers in excess of 1.2 million.

The spokesman said: “It is not everyday people get the opportunity to buy a castle and this is beautiful.”

Mr Black, a former social worker, made his fortune as a positive-thinking guru with high-profile clients including EMI, Glaxo and Texaco, as well as the Metropolitan Police, Gavin Hastings, the rugby star, and Liz McColgan, the runner .

He has gained fame through his inspirational lectures to promote the power of positive thinking in everyday working and private life.

Last night, a spokeswoman for Mr Black said he was selling the castle as it was now too big for his family and he wanted to buy property abroad.

“He is selling the property for personal reasons. Jack has two children and his son is turning 18 and off back-packing round Australia,” she said.

“With Jack away working a lot, it means there’s only his wife and other child wandering around this massive castle and it didn’t seem practical.

“He will be buying a smaller property for his family and also wants to buy somewhere abroad so the family can enjoy some quality time and also enjoy his success.”