Rural retreat with King as a neighbour
TO the worshippers at Crathie Kirk, members of the Royal family are a common sight. The church, close to Balmoral, played a vital role in the late Queen’s annual retreat to Royal Deeside.
The area, with its idyllic landscape, was close to the monarch’s heart. Now, a property has come on the market that offers homeowners the chance to snap up a tastefully renovated three-bedroom stone cottage near Balmoral Castle.
Balnoe, in Crathie, is an attractive off-grid dwelling with flexible accommodation over two floors.
Buyers could continue its use as self-catering holiday accommodation, make it a perfect bolthole/ second home or simply enjoy it as a main family residence.
Sensitively modernised, it has exposed beams, wooden flooring and the original inglenook fireplace, providing ideal family and entertaining space maximising the wonderful countryside views.
The predominantly open-plan ground floor flows from a triple aspect vaulted porch/sunroom with bespoke window seating, a sitting room with woodburning stove and a generous kitchen with wooden worktops, a double butler sink, modern integrated appliances, an LPG gas range cooker and an adjoining fitted utility room with a cloakroom and a door to the garden.
The ground floor is completed by a bedroom wing providing a front aspect principal bedroom with feature fireplace and modern en suite shower room.
Upstairs off the sunny landing are an attractive double bedroom with a smart en suite shower room, a family bathroom and a large quadruple bedroom that children are sure to love.
Outside, occupying a sizeable plot, the property is approached down a private track through a five-bar gate with a driveway providing private parking for multiple vehicles and giving access to a detached shed and woodstore.
The enclosed garden surrounding the property has split-level expanses of lawn and features a sheltered stone-built seating area with the whole site enjoying uninterrupted views over Felagie Burn and the rolling countryside.
Located at the heart of the Cairngorms National Park, the parish of Braemar and Crathie is one of the largest, highest and most remote in Scotland.
Braemar, home to the famous Gathering, offers a range of dayto-day amenities including a village store with a Post Office, a small supermarket, independent shopping, numerous hotels and dining options, and a golf course.
Ballater has a wide range of coffee shops, restaurants and specialist stores, many bearing the Royal Warrant, while the small Victorian town of Aboyne in Royal Deeside is also nearby.
A wide range of leisure pursuits are easily on hand: in addition to golf, horse riding, hunting and fishing, it is renowned for hill walking, mountain biking and winter sports which are all available at Glenshee and Aviemore within the Cairngorms National Park.
Offers over £375,000. For more information call Strutt & Parker on 01738 503266 or email Amy. McMenemy@struttandparker.com