A TOWER OF STRENGTH
Renovated Harlaw House in Aberdeenshire is a turreted masterpiece
Historic Harlaw House is a pleasure to call home.
HARLAW HOUSE is home to what must be Britain’s most historic wash room.
This sprawling, luxury dwelling in the rich and rolling Aberdeenshire countryside has an en suite rest room located in a turret built to mark the medieval Battle of Harlaw.
And there are fantastic views across the site of the infamous battle of 1411.
Harlaw House, two miles from Inverurie, started life as a 1840s Manse. The tower was added in 1883 to mark the skirmish which saved Aberdeen from being sacked.
Today, it’s hard to imagine the bloody clash of claymores as the English-backed Highlander forces of the Lord of the Isles, Donald of Islay, were repelled by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar, and his Lowland army. Owner David Knowles, 56, who has lived in the house with his wife Murray, 55, for 20 years, tells iN10: “There is an inscription above the door with all the details of the commemorative tower.
“The tower did puzzle us for a while. It wasn’t being used before we moved in and was just a series of small rooms.
“The walls weren’t sealed properly so it would get damp and freezing cold. It’s accessed off one of the bedrooms, so we decided to turn it into an en suite.”
The result is spectacular. A glass shower enclosure is a design dream against a rugged backdrop of exposed stone walls while a chic spiral stairway leads to an outdoor viewing area affording a 360 degree panorama.
The five-bedroom home, set in three stunning acres, also has a conservatory, cinema
room and a gym. But it wasn’t always so welcoming.
David recalls: “I remember the first time I saw the house.
“Murray had called me at work insisting we had to see this ‘perfect’ property.
“It was February and freezing, so I drove all the way out there.
“When I was inside, standing on the landing, it started snowing – inside the property!
“An old pre-velux style window had slipped out of place and snow was coming in the gap. That was it. We just had to have it.”
In 1998, they moved in and, with vision and determination, the Knowles created a home with all the comforts of modern living while maintaining period features such as ceiling roses, panelling and ornate architraves.
Harlaw also boasts an impressive staircase, an elegant lounge and formal dining room, a cosy snug and an expansive country kitchen. But the couple have decided to hand over custodianship of the historic home they have loved.
David explains: “We are both from North Yorkshire and have family there we would like to be closer to for a time. In the longer term we would like to move abroad, to France or Italy.”
The Knowles’ home is on the market with Peterkins for offers over £848,000.