Big, bold and beautiful homes
Up your expectations of value for money in the country
ALARGE country house in Scotland is a dream for many of us, it would seem, and brings buyers from around the world. The attraction is not all about lifestyle, views and the beautiful homes on offer, but the size of house that you can buy in comparison with other areas of the UK. And it would seem that with prices in rural parts North of the border still to recover from the dip, now is a good time to bag a bargain, particularly outside the central belt.
Ran Morgan, of Knight Frank, says: “In spite of higher levels of property tax, Scottish property continues to offer good value, especially when compared with London and southern England.
“Over the last year 57% of our buyers were from outside of Scotland, highlighting the global appeal of the country. This trend has continued in 2015, with individuals from Hong Kong, the UAE and London all purchasing properties during the first three months of the year.”
He says that average prime Scottish country house prices remain 22% below the market peak in the latter part of 2007. This means a property valued at £1m in 2007 would now be worth £780k in Scotland.
And for those searching for a larger property, either because of a big family or to base a lifestyle business, there are some great homes on the market this Spring. Waterside House occupies a wonderful secluded rural position, in the heart of the Dumfriesshire countryside.
The house was built in 1863 on a site by the waters of the Annan.
It is a wonderful Victorian house with gate lodge, stables, river frontage and ten acres of the most magnificent gardens.
The accommodation is extensive and impressive with grand public rooms full of period features, a very chic kitchen and seven bedrooms.
There is also a two bedroom gate lodge and an adjoining stable block with potential to create further accommodation.
The northern boundary is 200 metres of the River Annan with trout fishing rights included in the sale.
The gardens at Waterside include rolling lawns surrounded by azaleas, rhododendrons, herbaceous borders, vegetable gardens and greenhouses and an extensive water garden.
Offers over £975,000, contact Knight Frank on 0131 222 9600. Kinlochfollart, Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye is an impressive former manse set in over two acres of garden, and with direct access to the beach. In a stunning location with Macleods Tables as a back-drop, and sitting at the head of Loch Dunvegan, Kinlochfollart has been both a wonderful family home, and a very successful bed and breakfast. Well proportioned on three levels and with nine bedrooms, a sweeping staircase and fine views from all aspects, this well maintained house has enormous potential.
Offers in the Region Of £490,000, contact Grange Estate Agents on 0131 346 4646.
Scourie Lodge, Scourie, Lairg, Sutherland is a handsome traditional Scottish laird’s house set in a beautiful coastal location on the fringes of the Sutherland village of Scourie. The lodge occupies an unrivalled setting, on a wooded hillside, within its immaculate grounds, enclosed by a stone wall. It dates from the mid 1800s and was built as a shooting lodge for the Dukes of Sutherland.
It has a beautifully proportioned drawing room, library and dining room. The kitchen opens up into a family sitting area. The five en suite bedrooms are are laid out conveniently for offering guest accommodation and it is currently run as a successful seasonal bed and breakfast with further accommodation in the former coach house. There are outbuildings and nearly four acres of grounds.
Offers Over £595,000, contact Strutt and Parker on 01463 719171. High Aldons, By Girvan, South Ayrshire is a six bedroom detached house illustrating just how much more you get for your money off the beaten track. It is in a beautiful elevated position on Aldons Hill, 150m above sea level with sweeping views across the Stinchar Valley. The house dates back to the early 1700s and was most likely then a traditional But ‘n’ Ben which has been extended since. The gardens are enclosed and spectacular with mature trees and shrubs, a lawn with raised beds of fruit and vegetables. In addition there is a greenhouse, wood store and tool shed.
Offers over £280,000 contact CKD Galbraith on 01292 268181.
It has been both a wonderful family home, and a very successful bed and breakfast