Stunning mix of old and new

Kirklands of Coull is a striking Georgian property, and its fascinating history even led to a knock on the door from the police. Its current owner told Ellie House about its quirky character

WhenProfessor Jane Geddes first set eyes on Kirklands of Coull, the former manse seemed to greet her through thick fog; almost as if it had been waiting for her appraisal.

The period property sat cold and empty after an unforgiving winter, the grand rooms silent after decades of colourful owners.

It might not sound all that appealing, but Jane’s mind was made up.

As she stood at the front door and surveyed the sweeping view of mountains and sky, she fell in love with Kirklands of Coull and all it had to offer.

From its fascinating history to the distinctive tower and sheltered walled garden, it would seem the spell was well and truly cast.

Jane has marvellous Kirklands, also become

spent 30 years at and has part of the tight-knit community on her doorstep in Tarland near Aboyne.

But now her children have flown the nest, she believes the time has come to let new owners enjoy the six-bedroom family home.

“We were living in Netherley when Kirklands of Coull came on the market, and my husband said it was for sale,” said Jane. “I remember I was furious at the time, because the way I saw it, we already had somewhere to live.

“But off we went to look at Kirklands anyway; it was all locked up and empty.

“I remember reaching this beautiful Georgian front door, and a split second was all it took for me to fall in love.

“I said I didn’t care what it cost, we simply had to move there.”

But on Jane’s admission, the interior was a “disaster”.

“It was the day before we exchanged contracts and the weather had been so cold that the temperature dipped to -20C,” she said.

“Every single radiator burst, the flooding was immense.

“Thankfully it was all replaced on the previous owner’s insurance, giving us a new heating system.”

Kirklands of Coull now offers a stunning mix of old and new, and period features have been carefully preserved.

Symmetrical reception rooms can be found on the ground floor, and the formal drawing room offers dual aspect views to the west and north.

A welcoming fireplace houses a wood-burning stove.

On the right is the formal dining room with an original neo-classical open fireplace, and views over the sweeping lawn and the Tarland Burn.

To the rear is a bedroom/ study with views across the walled garden, and a further study/store room can be found beyond the drawing room.

The former manse is believed to have been built originally in the 18th Century, with the main building rebuilt and designed around 1834 by renowned Aberdeen architect John Smith.

“It was clearly built using good-quality stonemasonry,” said Jane.

“This means that the house has stood the test of time – from the outside it remains exactly how it was built all those years ago.

“Inside, the quality Georgian features are all intact, with fine woodwork, sandstone flooring in the hall and plaster detailing.

“Obviously we have renovated practical aspects of the interior.

“We were pulling up the floorboards when we got a knock on the door from the police.

“They asked if we had found any money, and I said no.

“It turned out that one

Photograph by Jim Irvine