The Herald - The Herald Magazine
GOING STEADING
HISTORIC BARN OFFERS GARDENS, VIEWS AND A 21ST CENTURY INTERIOR
BEAUTIFUL views and a wonderful rural setting won over Steve and Anne Hamilton when they first discovered the charming farm steading Drumallan Barn was for sale.
“We loved it from the moment we saw it, and bought it after our first visit,” explains Steve. “It’s been wonderful living here for the last 20 years.”
The five-bedroomed, detached steading near Dunblane was converted from the original barn before the Hamiltons moved in, but they have carried out extensive work on the property.
“We put in a whole new kitchen, knocked down walls and moved things around, added an extension at the back and wood floors throughout – it was a lot of work,” smiles Steve.
“We moved the original front door and put in large windows, and just created more space. It’s a very bright house, lots of natural light.”
He adds: “The original part of the barn and the farmhouse next door are very old – dating back to around 1775, and would undoubtedly have had views over old Roman roads and so on.”
Drumallan Barn is a fantastic family home, full of light and space, with excellent flexibility inside and out – it comes with a 1.75 acre field and a separate annexe, ideal for a granny flat or holiday lets.
The ground floor includes a reception hallway and porch, a large dining kitchen, formal lounge, dining room and two bedrooms.
The farmhouse-style kitchen is fantastic, full of warm maple wood, limestone-tiled flooring and rich colours, like the deep red of the Aga and the bold shades of artwork on the walls. Its large bay windows overlook the front garden, and two further windows look out on the pretty courtyard space.
Steve’s favourite rooms are the kitchen and the lounge, a spacious and comfortable room with stunning views and an open fire, set in a natural stone fireplace with a slate hearth.
The ground floor also includes a useful utility room, complete with handy ceilingmounted pulley and Belfast sink, and a shower room.
Upstairs there is a further bedroom, which could also be used as an office or extra living space. Currently, it’s used by Steve as an office, and an art and crafts room by Anne, who sews and paints there.
“It’s a flexible space – like the rest of the house,” adds Steve.
The annexe includes a lounge and open plan kitchen, a bedroom, a shower room and a sunroom.
Drumallan Barn sits in beautiful grounds of around three quarters of an acre, with
The fantastic gardens have lots of space to play, our grandchildren have loved visiting
large lawns surrounded by mature trees and stone walls, a lovely driveway and vegetable and shrub beds. There’s a potting shed, wood shed and greenhouse too within the grounds.
The south-facing, picturesque courtyard is a real sun trap, says Steve.
“It’s a lovely spot, perfect to sit out in the summer,” he explains. “The gardens are fantastic – lots of space to play, and our grandchildren have loved visiting.
“The field is great too – it’s perfect for horses, for example.”
Drumallan Barn is located on the edge of the pretty village of Kinbuck. Nearby Dunblane offers an excellent range of amenities, including shops and schools. For the commuter, the A9 is located close by and provides excellent links to Glasgow, Edinburgh or Perth.
“It’s been ideal for me, for work, as it’s a great spot if you commute,” adds Steve.
“The house overlooks the Cromlix estate, which is beautiful, and you are within easy reach of the airports and the cities of Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow.”
The couple – and bearded collie Freddie – are moving on, but hoping to stay in the local area they love. “It’s always been just the two of us – and several dogs over the years! – although the house is often full of children and grandchildren,” says Steve.
“I’ve had my 50th and my 60th birthday celebrations here, which has been fun, and we have had lots of family get-togethers, barbecues and Christmas parties.
“It’s a great house for entertaining, of course.
“But as we’re getting older, it’s time for us to go somewhere else. We are ‘rightsizing’, as the Americans would say.”
He smiles: “It’s a perfect home for a young family, and it has been perfect for us too. We really have loved living here, but for us, it’s time to move on.”