Amid the rugged hills and windswept lochside of the Isle of Mull sits a decaying mansion with a past as dramatic as its setting. Pennyghael House, once the proud centrepiece of a Highland estate, carries echoes of clan leadership, colonial fortune and the inner circle of rock and roll royalty. This period under the ownership of the Genesis management team remains one of the most discussed chapters in Hebridean property history.
The MacGillivray Era: Four Centuries of Power
Long before it became a symbol of dereliction, Pennyghael served as a vital seat of power. The MacGillivray clan held the surrounding land for centuries, forming a core part of the Gaelic heartland of Mull. These Lairds of Pennyghael did not just manage land; they shaped local culture. For instance, Rev Martin MacGillivray, who served the local parish in the mid 1600s, famously carried a claymore to his sermons. This created a striking image of the warrior priests of the era.
However, the 18th century brought shifting tides. Like many Highland families, the MacGillivrays eventually succumbed to the economic pressures of the post Jacobite era. In 1801, following mounting financial difficulties and a formal bankruptcy, the family sold their ancestral holdings. While the direct line of Lairds faded, the name MacGillivray soon returned in the form of colonial success.
Colonial Fortune: The North West Company Connection
William McGillivray, a Scot who had amassed a vast fortune in Canada, stepped in to reclaim the family name. As the chief director of the North West Company, William oversaw a fur trading empire that stretched across North America, rivaling the Hudson’s Bay Company. He saw Pennyghael not just as land, but as a chance to restore the status his ancestors had lost.
Between 1816 and 1820, William commissioned the construction of the current Georgian mansion. Architects designed it as a classic Georgian box. This involved a two storey, seven bay facade that emphasized symmetry and order against the wild Hebridean landscape. The house offered commanding views over Loch Scridain, signaling to all who passed that the MacGillivrays had returned. Though William died in 1825, the house stood for a century as a monument to the Fur Trade Kings of the North West.
The Genesis Connection: Tony Smith’s Era
In the mid 1980s, Pennyghael House entered its rock and roll chapter. Tony Smith, the influential manager behind the band Genesis, purchased the estate. While many locals believed the band members, Phil Collins, Tony Banks, and Mike Rutherford, purchased the property together, Smith held the title to the 12 acre site.
Despite the immense resources available to the Genesis management team, they never initiated a restoration project. Instead of becoming a creative retreat or a recording studio, the mansion sat empty. By the early 1990s, the building’s decline accelerated. Thieves stripped the lead from the roof, water rotted the floorboards, and the harsh Atlantic weather smashed through the windows. The community watched as a symbol of local history turned into a crumbling liability.
Economic Impact: The Loss of Local Livelihoods
The closure and subsequent decay of the estate had a profound impact on the local economy. For decades, Pennyghael House acted as a central employer for the surrounding community. Local residents filled roles as estate workers, domestic staff, and groundskeepers. When the house ceased operations and fell into neglect, these stable jobs vanished. The loss hit the small, rural population hard, as few alternative employment opportunities existed in this part of Mull. The estate shifted from a source of local prosperity to a symbol of economic stagnation.
Architectural Decay and Buildings at Risk
The situation eventually forced the hand of conservationists. In 1988, authorities designated Pennyghael House as a Category C Listed Building. This status protects buildings of local importance, yet the listing alone could not stop the rot. The Buildings at Risk Register for Scotland eventually moved the house from Poor to Very Poor condition, citing significant structural decay and the loss of its internal fittings.
Local frustration peaked during this time. As the mansion crumbled, Mull faced a chronic housing shortage. The sight of a historic estate sitting in ruins under wealthy absentee ownership became a focal point for debates about land use and heritage preservation in the Hebrides.
The 2025 Sale: A New Beginning?
In early 2025, the property market finally moved. Estate agents Bidwells listed the 12 acre derelict site with a guide price of Offers Over £150,000 to £180,000. This relatively low price point reflected the massive investment required to make the house habitable again. The listing generated significant international interest, leading to a competitive closing date on 5 March 2025.
The house sold shortly after the deadline. While the new owners have not yet revealed their identity or their plans, the community remains hopeful. As we move into 2026, the question remains: will someone finally restore the Georgian grandeur of Pennyghael and perhaps bring employment back to the glen, or will the Atlantic eventually reclaim the stone for itself?
