Horses for courses at winning conversion
Kirsty Mcluckie surveys Galrigside in Ayrshire, a renovated farmhouse which presents a strong and stable residential and commercial proposition
People of an equestrian bent have been known to spend more money, time and effort securing comfortable accommodation for their animals than themselves.
It is certainly true that often pristine stables are attached to a rather run-down house, but Galrigside in South Ayrshire is definitely the exception that proves the rule.
However, current owner Arlene Allen does admit that the upgrading of the loose boxes and exercise arena at the property were completed before the total overhaul of the house.
She recalls: “I did put the horse’s comfort first, converting what was 23 breeze-block stables to 13 modern stables that were larger and had features such as rubberised floors. But when that was complete, I set to work on the house.”
Arlene moved to Galrigside from Rutherglen in Glasgow five years ago, with a plan to run a livery yard as well as to create a home to suit herself and her mother who required care.
The property was a traditional farmhouse but flanked on either side by outbuildings and in a major project, Arlene doubled the footprint of the accommodation by forming the house into a U-shape with a central courtyard.
As for the livery plans, while she keeps her own horses here, she
quickly decided that the house project should take precedent.
Galrigside still has fantastic equestrian facilities, which include an indoor arena, grazing, stabling and a horse walker.
While not a professional property developer, Arlene has a background in taking on tired old properties to improve.
She says: “I generally don’t tend to buy anything that doesn’t need work. I enjoy the process of project managing and – probably much to the builders’ horror – I’m very hands on.
“The buildings either side of the house were a store, workshop and garage, and an office on the other side, and I extended into and converted both. The kitchen was also pushed out at the back and I’ve added a deck.”
One wing now houses a vast master bedroom suite with bathroom and dressing area, while the other has added two ensuite bedrooms, a further bathroom, gym, utility, boot room and office.
The whole design has been undertaken with an eye to leaving the accommodation as flexible as possible to future-proof it.
Arlene adds: “I was conscious of the idea that someone might want to run a business from the house, and so the office at the front keeps visitors away from the rest of the house.”
The bedrooms are arranged so that they could be let perhaps to holidaymakers without being intrusive on family areas.
The wing on the right, in particular, is accessed by a separate door and leads to two attic bedrooms, a downstairs bedroom, and a shower room and kitchenette, so if it was used for a holiday let this area of the house could easily be self-contained.
But the refurbishment was also designed to make the most of the property’s surrounding views. Especially the kitchen, which is glazed on three sides and has longrange vistas that are perfect for weather watching.
Arlene adds that it is also fantastic for entertaining: “The only downside is the number of friends wanting to stay.”
As well as changing the layout, she took on planning the kitchens and bathrooms, and sourcing the furnishing and decor. The master bathroom is a highlight, with marble floors, a raised bath, a double shower and even a spectacular chandelier.
But Arlene’s attention to detail is everywhere, from the patterned stone on the terrace to the decked area beyond the bifold doors of the kitchen.
Arlene admits that she is no
The decking and terracing has been designed to extract the most enjoyment with the lowest possible maintenance
gardener, so the decking and terracing has been designed to extract the most enjoyment with the lowest possible maintenance.
At the rear, there are raised gardens with lawns, shrubs and trees and further up is a summer house which overlooks the whole property.
The wider 35 acres are used for grazing and provide great horse riding without the need to cross over a road.
Arlene believes the house and its fantastic facilities would most suit an equestrian family with children with the ambition to ride professionally.