Tranquillity over Forfar Loch

A beautiful 19th Century home sits in a secluded spot overlooking Forfar Loch. Loved and upgraded by its current owner, it offers stunning views, beautiful architectural features and a peaceful location within easy walking distance of Forfar centre

The sun is easing over the horizon, spreading a sheen of gold across the surface of Forfar Loch.

It’s still March, though, and a cold wind cuts through me. I’m glad to step inside and feel the warmth emanating from the kitchen’s wood burner.

Mark Cashley and his late wife Marie bought Inchgarth House in 1996. “We looked all over Scotland for a house and couldn’t find what we wanted,” Mark says. “Then we came up here one winter’s day and fell in love with this place.”

It isn’t hard to see what drew the couple to the property. A long gravel drive lifts you off the single-track road that runs partway along the banks of Forfar Loch, leading up to Inchgarth House and its one neighbouring cottage.

The bow-fronted property dates from the early 1800s and was thought to have been a shooting lodge for the local estate. It was substantially extended for a Reverend Skinner later in the 19th Century.

A hallway runs along the length of the house, giving access into all the main rooms.

The kitchen/family room is an open plan space with an enormous wood burner at one end that’s blazing merrily. Behind the kitchen is a large pantry and utility room.

Next door is the living room, which has a vintage wood-burning stove, window seat and working shutters.

The dining room has a stunning bow window array and an open fire with striking lacquered oriental mantel. It also has window seats and shutters.

Both the downstairs bedrooms are en suite, and one also has its own dressing area. The second bedroom’s en suite is open plan, with curved walls and a walk-in enclosure that has his and hers showers.

Upstairs are two more double bedrooms, which share a shower room between them.

Mark and Marie upgraded the house, replacing much of the roof, fitting the two en suite bathrooms, adding the wood-burning stove in the kitchen and knocking through a wall to make the open plan kitchen/family room.

The garden has a stone patio, large expanse of lawn, mature trees, and drystane walls. Mark points at two trees: “This is where we would always string a hammock in the summer time. You’ve got a bit of shelter from the wind, views of the loch, and complete seclusion.”

To the rear of the house is a large stone barn. On the ground floor is a garage and large store, while upstairs is a long attic with a shower room at one end.

Subject to permission, there’s plenty of scope for creating an annex flat or cottage.

Sadly, Marie passed away in 2017, at the age of 59. Mark, 58, has since remarried and now lives in France.

“I still miss Marie,” he says. “We had 20 fantastic years here.

“I’ve got wonderful memories of the times we had in this house but it now feels like time to pass it on.”

“The kitchen/ family room is an open plan space with an enormous wood burner at one end that’s blazing merrily

Room to grow: Subject to planning permission being obtained from the council, Inchgarth House boasts plenty of room for buyers to build an annex flat or cottage.

Scenic: The property boasts a wonderfully secluded location and there is just one neighbouring property.