Perfect Perthshire padhas out

WHEN it comes to ringing in the changes, Chris and Rachel Rowley are experts.

The corporate couple embarked on a complete lifestyle change when they sold their tiny flat in London.

With their two little girls in tow, they invested in a rambling Perthshire farmhouse from where they launched a ‘destination’ cookery school.

That was just over a year ago. Now they also have a son and the recipe for more success in 2018.

Speaking from their large kitchen as they prepare a Hogmanay feast with children Eva, 6, Anna, 4 and Nathaniel, 1, they tell iN10: “This place is everything we dreamed it could be.”

Chris and Rachel left secure jobs so Chris could train as a chef at Leiths School of Food and Wine.

They looked far and wide for a property where he could nurture his cookery ambitions and build a food business.

Perthshire, where he had enjoyed holidays as a child and where family lived, was a good option.

Rachel explains: “We were looking for a wreck to do up but with young children and a growing business, we felt we had enough to do.”

They viewed Ballintaggart Farmhouse and fell in love.

Says Rachel: “We instantly felt at home here.”

The Victorian four-bedroom house came with a detached steading and 11 acres of land.

The kitchen was spacious enough to add stations for students and the property came with B&B accommodation, and an office.

The décor was in good condition, allowing the couple to concentrate on building the business until they were ready to make changes.