You can bank on it
This town house could be a lucrative holiday home, writes Paul Drury
It’s not every home that can be considered a sure-fire bet but this is one solid stone property you can definitely bank on. the impressive town house sits atop the Bank of scotland in the pretty highland town of Grantown-on-spey.
the Bank House was completed in 1867 as a home for the manager of the Caledonian Bank, which amalgamated with the Bank of scotland in 1907. Its location, on the corner of High street and the square, is perfect for appreciating the delights of one of the most welcoming towns in the Highlands.
Grantown-on-spey has not been saturated to the extent of Edinburgh with countless Airbnb properties. But if this fine dressed granite building was not used as a family home, it would be a very lucrative proposition as a holiday home.
the interior has been refurbished to a high standard, blending a variety of original Victorian features with subtle colour schemes. Estate agent savills says the well-proportioned high-ceiling rooms ‘evoke an air of grandeur befitting the period of the house’.
the quality is evident as you step into the hall through the spacious ground floor entrance. A wide staircase, with a hardwood handrail and ornate iron bannister, leads up to the first-floor hall.
this hall has two elegant arches, featuring hardwood walnut flooring which extends into the living room and dining room.
Clearly, the manager’s residence was designed to make a big impression on anyone visiting.
the dining room has a beautiful marble fireplace with a slate hearth. there are double-aspect sash and casement windows, a picture rail, fine cornicing and ornate ceiling rose with a chandelier.
It’s anyone’s guess how many grand dinners were held here for local merchants seeking a secure home for their cash.
the kitchen features a stoves induction hob with double oven, grill and slow cooker. the working area is enhanced by a central island, oak work surfaces, a large American-style fridge freezer and double enamel Belfast sink. the Bank House has five bedrooms, three of which are on an upper floor with part-coombed ceilings.
the long-standing connection to the bank is maintained through the allocation of a personal parking space in the bank’s car park.
Grantown-on-spey was founded in 1765 as a planned settlement on low-lying ground beside the River spey at the northern edge of the Cairngorms. the town is surrounded by ancient woodlands, much of which is community-owned.
selling agent Fiona Gormley believes that when it came to building the town bank, the Victorian tradesmen knew what they were doing. she said: ‘this distinguished property has been skilfully restored to its former glory.’
■ Offers over £320,000. Tel 01224 971110 or email fgormley@savills. com