5 bedroom detached house

A beautifully proportioned, former manse, set in traditional woodland facing south west with spectacular views.

Description

Kirkmichael House is a delightful former manse, which occupies a spectacular position, facing southwest, with stunning views over the River Avon and to the Cromdale hills beyond. Dating from the 19th century it was originally built as a manse for the nearby Kirkmichael Kirk. It is an extremely attractive house, constructed of stone, pointed in slate chips, under a slate roof, arranged over two storeys which makes the most of its position and views. The accommodation consists of bright and well proportioned rooms with many original features including cornicing in the main reception rooms and bedrooms. With high ceilings and large windows the accommodation is light and airy, with most rooms facing south, west or east. The house sits in a lovely and lightly wooded setting, with its land mostly behind it. The grounds are a haven for wildlife including red squirrels, deer, hares and a wide variety of birds.

Kirkmichael House is approached by a tree lined drive, terminating in a gravel sweep to the front of the house. The front door opens to an entrance vestibule with dado rail and Amtico tiled floor. An inner partially glazed door leads to the main hall, again with Amtico flooring, and an impressive staircase to the first floor. To one side is the imposing dining room, with period features including picture rail, a polished wooden floor and large bay window with expansive views up the glen. Across the hall, the drawing room is equally imposing with similar period features and a large open fireplace with carved wooden mantel and high level skirting. Also off the hall is the office and an inner hallway leading to the sitting room, cloakroom, cellar, kitchen and snug. The cosy sitting room features an open fireplace with carved mantel and raised marble hearth, and recessed display shelves with cupboards below. Glazed doors lead to the heated conservatory with flagstone floor, ceiling blinds and double doors to the garden. It is sited to make the most of its views. The farmhouse style kitchen, with its large picture window overlooking the garden, has fitted units with tiled splashbacks, a four oven AGA with extractor, hob / oven, dishwasher, fridge and a flagstone floor. The adjacent scullery, also with flagstone floor, has fitted units, Belfast sink, central heating boiler, fridge, freezer, washing machine, tumble drier and dishwasher, together with a large storage cupboard and the back door leading to the garden. The snug has fitted bookshelves with cupboards below and a mantel. Stairs lead down to the cellars with flagstone floors, which comprise a wine cellar with stone shelves, a coal cellar and store.

The staircase with cast iron balustrades and wooden handrail leads to a large light filled landing incorporating a seating area with a window seat, together with a hanging cupboard and a shelved store with a hatch to a floored loft. The family bathroom has a bath, shower cubicle, pedestal washbasin, WC and shelved airing cupboard. Bedroom one has a walk in shelved and hanging cupboard and an en suite with bath, pedestal washbasin and WC. The principal bedroom has lovely views up the glen, built in wardrobe and an en suite with shower over bath and tiled surround, two washbasins set within a marble topped vanity unit, WC and Amtico flooring. Bedrooms three and four both have fitted wardrobes, with woodland and river views respectively, while bedroom five, also with river views, has a washbasin with cupboard under.

To the side of the house is a stone built double garage with a cobbled floor. There is an inspection pit in the larger garage, and both garages have power and light. Further away there is a stone built potting shed also with power and light.

Immediately surrounding the house is the garden with lawns to either side, flower beds and an attractive stream which passes through the garden and down the hill to the river, with ponds at various levels. Beyond the garden, the grounds are lightly wooded with many fine trees including pine, birch, poplar and beech, supplemented by recent plantings. These lead down to the road below and up the hill to a former walled garden. Behind this is a south facing field with views of the Cairngorms, currently in grass, with a duck flighting pond. The field has been let on a seasonal basis to a local farmer.

Location

Kirkmichael House is situated in Strathavon, a lovely area of Speyside, just to the north of Tomintoul. Sited in an elevated position on the side of the glen, the house enjoys stunning dual aspect views of the River Avon, which runs north to Glenlivet, and continues on to join the River Spey at Ballindalloch.

Tomintoul is the largest village in the area and has a post office, general store, independent stores, including those centred around whisky, a primary school, as well as the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Discovery Centre. Doctors’ surgeries can be found in both Tomintoul and Glenlivet. Secondary schooling is available at Speyside High School in Aberlour. The house and grounds are situated within both the renowned Glenlivet Estate and the Cairngorms National Park. The area is part of the Tomintoul and Glenlivet Cairngorms Dark Sky Park and comprises unspoilt Highland countryside, with an abundance of wildlife, and thriving small communities. Tomintoul is located on the scenic route connecting Speyside to Royal Deeside, and is only about seven miles from the Lecht Ski Centre. There is a wide range of other rural pursuits available locally including an array of walks and cycle tracks (with the very popular Glenlivet Mountain Bike Trails close by), and local golf courses include those at Grantown, Boat of Garten, Nethy Bridge and Ballindalloch. The local area also offers some of the country’s finest game sport opportunities, including shooting and stalking on local estates, as well as fishing on the world famous River Spey, its main tributary the River Avon, and on the Rivers Dee, Findhorn, Don and Deveron.

The area is also renowned for its malt whisky production, with a number of well-known local distilleries. Grantown on Spey is well served by a wide range of amenities including a village hospital and health centre, along with shops and leisure facilities. Aberlour also has good local amenities including an array of shops and the Speyside Sports and Community Centre, and swimming pool. Donside and Deeside are reached by a picturesque drive, while the skiing and holiday resort of Aviemore is also readily accessible.

Elgin is the nearest main shopping centre, and nearby is the famous private co-ed school, Gordonstoun, which takes both day pupils and boarders, from 8 to 18 years old. The Moray Firth has pleasant sandy beaches. Inverness offers a more comprehensive range of shopping options and services, as befits the capital of the Highlands. Inverness and Aberdeen, with their international airports, are both accessible. There are railway connections at Aviemore with regular services to the south including a sleeper.

Square Footage: 5,544 sq ft


Acreage: 26 Acres

Directions

From Grantown on Spey - Take the A95 towards Elgin. Turn right after 1.4 miles onto the A939 signposted to Tomintoul. After about 10.5 miles cross the River Avon and turn immediately left onto the B9136 signposted Bridgend of Glenlivet. Continue on this road for 2 miles. The house will be seen up above the road. The road passes below the house and then widens just where the drive joins the road. Use the layby to turn and proceed up the drive.

From Tomintoul - Take the A939 towards Grantown on Spey. After 1.4 miles and just before the road crosses the River Avon, turn right onto the B9136 signposted Bridgend of Glenlivet and proceed as above.

From Glenlivet - From the B9008 take the B9136 at Glenlivet, signposted Tomintoul Distillery. Continue for 6 miles, passing the Tomintoul Distillery, and some 0.3 miles after passing Kirkmichael Kirk and the green ex- servicemen’s hall, the road continues up and turns before widening and the drive is seen on the left.

If coming from Inverness and the south then proceed via Grantown on Spey. If coming from Aberdeen then proceed via Huntly, Dufftown and then Glenlivet.