Victorian villa that’s a truly heavenly retreat
WORKING from home is largely considered a modern phenomenon made possible thanks to rapidly advancing technology. But this property was way ahead of its time – home-working is why it was built in the 19th Century.
The five-bedroom stone villa served for decades as the village manse in Farr, only eight miles south of Inverness.
The minister would be on hand during the week to tend to his flock and to preach to them on a Sunday in the adjacent church.
Come the 21st Century, the house is in private hands and, thanks to a comprehensive refurbishment programme, is far removed from the traditional concept of a draughty manse.
It also benefits from a separate stone steading, which seems ripe for conversion to a home office and has previously been used as an artist’s studio.
First, however, you would have to find alternative accommodation for the starlings that nest in the beams of the log store.
But then the whole garden is a haven for wildlife. With copper beech trees and an ancient sycamore, it is home to numerous red squirrels and recently, pheasants have begun turning up at the back door, looking to be fed.
The side patio has been laid out in attractive stone monoblock to encompass the steading.
A swish extension has also been added which, though at present used as a garage for up to three cars, has been fashioned in such a way as to provide a floor above, subject to planning permission. Twin Velux windows were added by the owners with this future development in mind. Another home office, perhaps?
But it’s the Victorian touches in the main home – such as the iron balustrade with timber handrail that is such a feature of the hallway – which mark out this manse as a truly heavenly retreat.
While boasting a new Ultima kitchen, the house makes the most of the original polished flagstone floor. The work surfaces are by Silestone and there’s an Aga in the corner. All the windows have been replaced with sash-and-case double glazing, there’s a new heating system and a selection of fireplaces and wood-burning stoves.
Downstairs comprises drawing room, sitting room, dining room, snug and utility room.
There are five bedrooms upstairs, split between a lower and upper landing.
Farr itself enjoys a strong community spirit, based around the village school. With a £1 million gift from a wind farm company, locals built a village hall with bespoke log cabin in the woods.
Offers over £575,000 to Suzanne Moss or Kevin Maley. Tel 01463 719171 or email inverness@struttandparker.com