Shire bliss in this Hobbit hideaway
THERE is something of the Hobbit house about this quirky property, which looks straight from the novels of JRR Tolkien. Built on stilts on the side of a hill it offers scenery as spectacular as the rural splendour of the Shire dreamed up by the Lord of the Rings author.
The renovated and extended Heath Cottage, near Kiltarlity, by Beauly, Inverness-shire, elevates rural architecture to the fantastical thanks to its twin turrets and octagonal kitchen.
The owners say the original property on the site had a small octagonal conservatory. When designing a radical new extension, they wanted to echo the shape in the centre of the building.
They also required the room to have a high central point to fit in with the height of the trees behind and create a ‘synthesis’ with the natural landscape.
The entrance leads to an octagonal openplan kitchen and dining area, where floor-toceiling windows offer panoramic views to around an acre of garden.
It has the customary wall-and-base storage units and integrated appliances but there is also a tall island in the middle of the room, which breaks up the space.
A wood-burning stove at the heart of the island offers warmth for cosy evening suppers during long winter nights.
Off the kitchen you will find three bright and airy bedrooms, two of which have a Juliet balcony. There is also a shower room with walk-in shower, WC and wash basin.
On the other side of the kitchen, the broad hallway takes you to a sitting room with a wood burner and a large picture window.
Farther on you find the main bedroom, which has an en suite bathroom.
The conservatory looks onto the back gardens, which have been thoughtfully landscaped and are positively brimming with colour at this time of year.
The property also boasts an expansive terrace upon which to relax and take in the specimen trees, plants and shrubs.
There’s yet more to discover in the grounds of Heath Cottage – something to delight those who prefer to work from home.
As well as kennels and a wood store, there are two cabins, one used as a home office and the other as a studio.
If you do need to travel to work, Inverness is only 12 miles away and the city’s airport but 22 miles out.
The surrounding area offers some of the most spectacular scenery in the Highlands.
Locally there is a host of outdoor pursuits to choose from, including hillwalking, golf and fishing, as well as stalking and shooting opportunities available.
Kiltarlity has its own primary school, Tomnacross, but older children must travel into Inverness for secondary schooling.
The owners of Heath Cottage are to be congratulated for their vision, managing to marry a traditional Highland cottage with a dramatic construction that still sits comfortably within its space.
It may not be an under-hill Hobbit house… but it is definitely a wizard home.