Loch side story...
Waterside cottage is a charming, dream-come-true property
ARTIST Carrie Goldsmith loads a picnic basket and fishing rods into the little boat tied to her own personal jetty.
It’s just another day on the shores of Loch Knockie where Carrie, her music producer husband Hugh and their three grown-up children Jay, Poppy and Milo have their holiday home.
The remote waterside property of Brachkashie at Whitebridge, 50 miles from Inverness, nestles in one of the Highland’s most picturesque estates, close to Loch Ness.
And getting their hands on the home that had been in Hugh’s family for years was a dream come true.
“My husband has been going to Brachkashie all his life. His mother was born at nearby Knockie Lodge and this place has always been part of the estate,” Carrie explains.
The chance to buy the three bedroom cottage was an opportunity they couldn’t miss.
However, there was a lot of work to be done.
A new roof was installed and ceilings were raised to invite light in. Downstairs bedrooms were moved to the first floor and the kitchen was taken to ground level as part of a new open-plan kitchen/ dining/living area.
The changes were dramatic, but at every stage the couple were cautious not to lose the building’s original charm.
“We wanted to celebrate the property rather than start again,” says Carrie.
The Goldsmiths refrained from using anything too contemporary, including taps and basins.
An 18-month search of village fetes, charity shops and eBay bore fruit, equipping them with just the right items.
Carrie has injected a sense of honesty and homeliness into every corner of the dwelling. This has been achieved using sage and mossy greens that not only reflect the outside but give the place a retro vibe.
The authentic feel is extended with the use of tongue and groove panelling in the sitting area, bedrooms and bathroom as well as the choice of the handmade and the reclaimed – including the 1940s bathroom mirror .
Much of the home’s artwork dates from the early 20th Century and has been done by family members, whilst fabrics are traditional in choice, creating a sense of place without appearing twee.
Carrie reveals: “The cottage didn’t make the most of its location so we decided to clear away the trees between the building and the water and built a deck.”
She adds: “Many days here are about cosy fires and hillwalking, and the colours are stunning so the view is still the best part of any visit.
“I like to go out first thing in the morning and enjoy a cup of coffee when the loch is still, like a mirror.
“We also like to get wrapped up and come out at night to stargaze and listen to the owls. There is zero light pollution so you can see everything so clearly.”
Brachkashie Cottage is on the market with Strutt & Parker for offers over £300,000.