A taste of the Med in Aberdeenshire

THE GORGEOUS gardens and spectacular views sold Lurg Lodge to Louise Galloway and her family when they first visited it more than six years ago. “It’s a little bit magical,” explains Louise. “There are fields and woodlands, the stream running past and the lovely pond – it just captured our imagination and we fell in love with it all.”

She laughs: “While it looked lovely from the outside, inside was a different story

– we had to do quite a lot of work to the place. There was no heating, so we had to put in a whole new system, a new kitchen, bathrooms, doors … but it was worth it.”

The former grain mill, situated near Westhill in picturesque Aberdeenshire countryside, is a period property with a contemporary twist, as Louise explains.

“The original mill was converted around 20 years ago, so what we have is effectively a 20-year-old house built inside a much older stone building,” she says.

“We think the mill would have been built to serve Midmar Castle and the old village – there are lots of ruins scattered about the fields here. The old horse-and-cart-road ran right past our house.”

The five-bedroomed house still has remnants of its previous life – one of the upstairs bedrooms contains the entranceway through which the grain would have been taken to the mill and there is an original pillar in the hallway – so it is full of character.

Set around a sheltered courtyard and arranged in a U shape, the house includes a beautiful reception hall, incorporating a dining area and a woodburning stove. This leads to a stylish sitting room with a square bay window, log burner and garden views.

The bright, spacious family room includes an informal dining area, and the ground floor also includes a study, a stunning fitted kitchen – complete with attractive dark grey cabinets and a heather-coloured AGA – and a playroom, which would make a great sixth bedroom if required. This level also houses a downstairs shower room, WC cloakroom and fitted utility room, complete with traditional laundry pulley.

Upstairs, the landing is big enough to include a restful reading area, and there are five spacious bedrooms arranged in the east and west wings, including the master and en-suite. Two of the other bedrooms have wrought iron Juliet balconies. These upstairs rooms have impressive, far-reaching views across the countryside towards Bennachie.

Outside, the grounds include expanses of lawn and woodland, ponds – including the original mill pond – and pretty bridges. An excellent paved courtyard is perfect for entertaining and, it turns out, provides a little piece of the Mediterranean in Aberdeenshire.

“It is a fantastic sun-trap, even in the winter,” says Louise. “It captures the heat and sunlight, and it is so sheltered you never feel the wind. We even grow olive trees in here.

“We held Malcolm’s 40th birthday party here, we have had barbecues and parties, and it’s also lovely at Christmas time, lit up at night. You feel like you are abroad when you sit out here!”

The “move-straight-in” condition of Lurg Lodge is bound to appeal to buyers looking for a period property with all of the charm and none of the refurbishment hassle.

“We have tried to balance the traditional and the modern – this is a country house, so it does have a traditional feel and any ultramodern interior design wouldn’t really work with it,” says Louise.

“But we wanted a contemporary feel to the house too – we have a teenage daughter

who wouldn’t let us do anything too oldfashioned…” she adds with a laugh.

It is also a great property for commuting, as Louise explains.

“The location is fantastic – we are surrounded by lovely countryside, but we’re really handy for Aberdeen and thanks to the new bypass, it’s easy to get to the city centre and the airport,” she says.

“Westhill is our nearest shopping area, which is great, and there are good schools nearby too.” Louise, her husband Malcolm, and their three children Alex, 14, Cameron, 12, and four-year-old Finlay, are sad to be leaving Lurg Lodge behind.

“We will all miss it for different reasons – it’s a fantastic family home and it has been lovely living here,” she says.

“It does suit a family for many reasons, including the gardens – there are just so many wonderful nooks and crannies and places to play and explore.”

The courtyard is a fantastic sun-trap, even in the winter. You feel like you are abroad when you sit out here

Some of the original mill features, such as a supporting pillar, have been incorporated into the design.

The home feels very contemporary ... which pleases Louise’s teenaged daughter.