The former official residence of the Lieutenant Governor is up for sale at £4m.

Lorne House was the home of the island’s governors from about 1834 until 1860 when Government House moved from Castletown to Douglas.

Named after a district of Scotland, Lorne House - originally Lorn - described in contemporary accounts as ’this magnificent building lately erected’, emerged from its predecessor by 1828.

The original house was built in around 1786, probably to the design of George Steuart, who had been brought to the island by the Duke of Atholl.

Now up for sale with Harmony Homes, the building is said to be: ’A magnificent late Georgian house, with distinctive Regency architectural features, restored to its former splendour by the present owner.

’Surrounded by Castletown stone walls featuring a castellated arch and lookout, high ceilings to all principal accommodation, wealth of original features include pitch pine floors, restored sash windows, decorative cornices and cast-iron veranda.’

As well as seven bedrooms, it boasts six bathrooms, a reception hall, six reception rooms, four cloakrooms, a kitchen, a utility room, a breakfast room, a communications room, a garage with room for four cars and six-and-a-half acres of grounds including a herb garden.

In 1834, it was decided this would admirably fulfil the need for a suitably elegant and dignified property to become the home of then Lieutenant Governor, John Ready.

A 13-year lease was taken out and was then renewed until 1860 for Lieutenant Governor Charles Hope, however after this lease, the family which owned the house took up residence again and subsequent governors stayed first at the Castle Mona before moving to the current Government House in Onchan.

When it was profiled in one of the Examiner’s Buildings at Risk articles, it was revealed that in 1931 Lorne House was acquired by Christian Endeavour Holiday Homes. By 1972 it accommodated 100 people in the house, converted garage and lodge. During the Second World War it was occupied by the Manx Children’s Home, displaced from Glencrutchery Road by the Royal Navy.