Couple bought crumbling Scottish mansion for £ 10,000 after misunderstanding Scottish auctioneer accent

A young couple who mistakenly bought an abandoned mansion have revealed the property’s remarkable transformation over the past three years.

A bemused Callum Hunter, 28, and his partner Claire Segeren, 26, believed they had done the deal of the century by purchasing the six-bedroom Jameswood villa in Dunoon, Scotland.

With a rich local history dating back to the early Neolithic period, the young couple couldn’t believe their luck.

Until they visit the 120 year old house itself. An abandoned property with crumbling walls, the grounds were strewn with warnings: according to carpenter Cal.

Jameswood Villa had been empty for at least two decades, according to residents of the nearby village of Sandbank.

Young couple Cal and Claire had their eyes set on a £ 30,000 two-bed flat in Glasgow, but accidentally ended up with the six-bedroom mansion after misunderstanding an auctioneer’s strong Glaswegian accent.

After momentarily panicking, the couple decided to embark on a full-scale renovation project in 2019 and now live in a trailer on the grounds as they work day and night on the property.

A bemused Callum Hunter, 28, and his partner Claire Segeren, 26, believed they had done the deal of the century by purchasing the six-bedroom Jameswood villa in Dunoon, Scotland.

Carpenter Cal Hunter revealed he mistakenly bought Jameswood at auction after misunderstanding the Glasgow auctioneer's heavy accent

Carpenter Cal Hunter revealed he mistakenly bought Jameswood at auction after misunderstanding the Glasgow auctioneer’s heavy accent

Jameswood Villa in Dunoon, Scotland before
Jameswood Villa in Dunoon, Scotland after

Before & After: The 120-year-old house once had crumbling walls and the grounds were strewn with warnings: keep signs away

With his otherwise busy partner, Cal ventured into an auction on his own in 2018, with a budget of £ 40,000 and ambitions for a small place to live in Glasgow.

Speaking to Guardian, Cal revealed: “The problem was, the auctioneers spoke fast, and this one had a strong Glasgow accent – I was really having trouble keeping up.

“Fortunately, a brochure in my seat contained the details of each lot, while a screen behind the stage displayed its corresponding number.”

As screens at the auction house showed the apartment the couple had set their sights on, Cal timidly raised his hand to start the £ 10,000 auction war.

No one else blinked. At the resounding hammer blow, the apartment was his.

Claire Segeren works at Jameswood Villa, Scotland

Claire Segeren, 26 (above) was not with Cal the day he bought the abandoned Jameswood villa, but embarked on a large-scale renovation with him in 2019

Claire Segeren, 26 (above) was not with Cal on the day he bought the abandoned Jameswood Villa, but embarked on a large-scale renovation with him in 2019

The couple’s What Have We Dunoon social media pages document the trials and tribulations they have faced over the past three years

To his horror, the screens showed a different property as the person sitting next to him asked him if he had seen the property.

Recalling that moment, Cal said, “I looked up and was filled with terror.

The number on the page in front of me and the one on the screen definitely didn’t match.

‘Someone had mentioned a few last minute additions to the sale that weren’t in the booklet.

“The penny has fallen. What did I buy?

Wading through overgrown shrubs and danger signs, Cal and Claire (above) discovered that electricity hadn't existed for two decades and were shocked to discover that a chair had fallen through floor.

Wading through overgrown shrubs and danger signs, Cal and Claire (above) discovered that electricity had not existed for two decades and were shocked to discover that a chair had fallen to across the floor.

After momentarily panicking, the couple decided to embark on a full-scale renovation project in 2019 and now live in a trailer on the grounds as they work day and night on the property.

After momentarily panicking, the couple decided to embark on a full-scale renovation project in 2019 and now live in a trailer on the grounds as they work day and night on the property.

The answer was Jameswood Villa – a crumbling Scottish mansion with graffiti on the walls, rotten furniture and decaying ceilings.

With Claire by his side now, Cal ventured into the property to discover his new home.

Wading through overgrown shrubs and danger signs, they discovered that electricity had not existed for two decades and were shocked to discover that a chair had fallen through the floor.

The couple hope to spend the winter of 2021 inside Jameswood Villa - a remarkable achievement given the condition of the property three years ago

The couple hope to spend the winter of 2021 inside Jameswood Villa – a remarkable achievement given the condition of the property three years ago

The couple's What Have We Dunoon social media features some of the stunning scenery around Dunoon in Scotland

The couple’s What Have We Dunoon social media features some of the stunning scenery around Dunoon in Scotland

But their determination to bring the project to fruition enabled them not to give up despite a few surprises.

The couple have been engaged in a full-time renovation since 2019 and are documenting all of their progress on their What Have We Dunoon? social media pages.

“Although quiet Dunoon isn’t quite Glasgow city center, we love it,” Cal told The Guardian.

“The neighbors welcomed us with open arms: they came by with soup and lent us tools.

“It’s a special place – if you accidentally buy a house, you couldn’t do it better.

“If I had the chance to come back to this auction, I would raise my hand for this house, without a doubt. ”

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