In 2006, Bob Dylan and his brother bought 25-acre estate for GBP 2.2 million; after the pandemic, they sold the estate 17 years later for GBP 4.26 million |
In 2006, the legendary singer-songwriter Bob Dylan and his brother, David Zimmerman, purchased the iconic Aultmore House, which is a secluded Edwardian mansion located in the Scottish Highlands. They spent over GBP 2.2 million to purchase the property at the time. 17 years later, sometime around 2023, the estate was sold for GBP 4.257 million, which is often rounded to £4.26 million to the famed Scotch whisky producer Angus Dundee Distillers.Here’s all you need to know about the iconic and historic 16-bedroom property in the Scottish Highlands.
In 2006, Bob Dylan and his brother, David Zimmerman, bought the Scottish house
As reported by The Scotsman, the brothers purchased the property back in 2006 for GBP 2.2 million. The two would stay at the Scottish Highlands home for a few weeks every year, as a sort of vacation away from their everyday lives. However, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, they were forced to stay in quarantine and away from the property for years.
Originally Bob Dylan and his brother David Zimmerman invested GBP 2.2 million into the Scottish property, which they would visit for a few weeks every year. (Instagram)
Why did Bob Dylan and David Zimmerman sell off the 25-acre estate?
In late 2023, the duo put the house and the entire estate up for sale on the market and were ready to part ways with the scenic space. According to Knight Frank, who handled the listing, the brothers typically spent a few weeks at the residence each summer until the COVID-19 pandemic made travel impractical. Having not returned since pre-pandemic times, the property was deemed “surplus to requirements.”
More about the interiors of the 25-acre estate that once belonged to Bob Dylan
According to the online reports, the grand space had a 18,357-square-foot main residence, while the remainder of the estate was tree-lined with various species of plants and old trees, offering residents stunning and breathtaking views of the Cairngorm mountains that surrounded the area.The accommodation had a total of 16 bedrooms, 11 bathrooms, four primary reception rooms, and a dedicated music room for the famed musician to work in when inspiration struck. What made the Scottish estate unique were some of its old-school features, including the period Edwardian features, original timber floors, detailed plasterwork, and marble fireplaces. The estate also had a separate Victorian-style greenhouse, a separate walled garden, a central fountain, a croquet lawn, and three additional guest cottages for whenever there were visitors and family members staying over in the area.
After the COVID-19 pandemic, the brothers decided to sell the 25 acre property and listed it on the market in 2023. Soon they got an offer and sold it to an independent alcohol brewery. (Instagram)
The Aultmore House’s history and cultural significance
The Aultmore House is an A-listed historic building that was originally built between 1911 and 1915 as a summer estate for Archibald Merrilees, a Scottish industrialist who co-founded the M&M department store in Russia. Before Bob Dylan and David Zimmerman bought the estate, it was passed down through quite a lot of owners. Over its century-long history, it once served as a WWII convalescent military hospital, as well as a finishing school for international students, a bed-and-breakfast, and a popular wedding venue. It was also featured in the drama series ‘Monarch of the Glen’ and has developed a rich cultural history over the years.
Who owns Bob Dylan’s former estate now?
In late 2023, the singer and his brother finally listed the space on the market and sold it off at a profit, with the purchase price amounting to GBP 4.26 million. The house was officially sold to an independent Scotch whisky producer based in London. The company is owned and managed by the Hillman family. The property is a prime location due to its proximity to one of the brand’s flagship chain distilleries.
