5 bedroom detached house

Fabulous castellated house in a stunning location overlooking Lintrathen Loch

Description

Lintrathen House Main Lodge is a delightful castellated Scottish Baronial lodge house, dating from the late nineteenth century, with crow stepped gables, a crenelated stair tower and a turret with a fish scale roof. It is dramatically situated adjacent to Lintrathen Loch, with its backdrop of woods and heather clad hills. The loch and surrounding lands were acquired by the Water Commissioners of Dundee in 1872, as a reservoir. The house was originally built by the commissioners to provide a prestigious setting for business meetings and entertaining. Indeed, it was visited by the late Queen Elizabeth II when she opened Backwater Reservoir in 1969. Over the front door is a crest which reads “Dei Donum Prudentia et Candore” and means “Gift of God, with thought and purity.” The house sits on the southern edge of Lintrathen Loch, amidst wooded grounds, with views out over the water to the hills beyond. In A J Warden’s, Angus and Forfarshire, The Land and People (first published 1882) he indicates that “the very handsome lodge, its useful adjuncts, its tasteful surroundings and comfortable interior, are in fine keeping with the Loch and the grand scenery around it.”

The house was sold by Scottish Water in 2004 and at that time renovations and refurbishment were undertaken, with much of the roof re-slated and many windows replaced. The house was also linked to former offices and storage accommodation to the rear. Since 2007 considerable further works were undertaken. These included refurbishing the kitchen and adding French doors to link to the garden and give views over the loch. In addition most windows were refurbished, the house was rewired and a new staircase fitted. The impressive drawing room was created from two smaller rooms. Walls and ceilings were insulated while retaining original period architraves, and walls were repointed and parquet flooring laid in the hallway. Since 2021 underfloor heating has been connected in the kitchen, two shower rooms have been refurbished, the drawing room has been redecorated and carpeted, the drive and parking areas re-gravelled and the leadwork on the roof and rainwater fittings have been upgraded. As such it is now a hugely impressive country house, in a fantastic location and beautifully presented. With good sized reception rooms it is perfect for entertaining and modern family living and is extremely flexible. The house, which is fully double glazed, other than one of the windows at second floor level, also benefits from a wood pellet central heating system, so is efficient to run. Stone built, with a slate roof, it still retains many of its original features, such as cornicings in the principal bedrooms and reception rooms and panelled doors, yet at the same time also feels quite contemporary. The main reception rooms, kitchen and principal bedroom all have dramatic views over the loch.

Gates open on to a gravelled drive which leads up to a circular sweep at the side and front of the house. Wooden front doors open to a hallway with a stone flag floor. An inner hallway has parquet flooring and a porch has a glazed entrance door to a courtyard. The imposing drawing room has louvred window shutters, shelved press and a fireplace with a large wooden mantel, tiled surround and a wood burning stove. Opposite is bedroom one, previously used as a study, again with louvred window shutters. Beyond is the games room, previously used as a dining room, with louvred window shutters, fireplace with wooden mantel and wood burning stove, together with two shelved cupboards and Italian marble flooring. The back stair hall has an understair cupboard, while a tiled shower room has a rainfall shower, bespoke washbasin with vanity unit, WC and electric underfloor heating. The fully fitted bespoke Old Mother Hubbard kitchen has French doors to the garden with louvred window shutters, giving views to the loch and the hills. The impressive wooden wall and floor units have granite worktops and include a dresser with clock, porcelain sink and a central island unit. Appliances include a Bosch dishwasher and microwave, Electrolux fridge and freezer and a four oven AIMS control electric AGA with a wooden mantel over. There is electric underfloor heating and ample space for informal dining. The utility room has fitted units, tiled splashbacks, porcelain sink and a Bush washing machine, while the family room has wooden flooring and with the kitchen is very much the heart of the house. Also off the kitchen is a boot room with a walk in cupboard, back door and Italian marble flooring.

From the hallway stone spiral stairs with a walk in understair panelled cupboard, lead to the first floor landing again with a walk in cupboard. Bedroom two has a picture rail and louvred window shutters, while the bathroom has a picture rail, wood panelling to dado level, bath, washbasin with marble work top and vanity unit, WC, tiled floor, fireplace with wooden mantel and tiled surround and a wall mounted TV. This also links to the principal bedroom (formerly an upstairs board room) which has two bay windows making the most of the views, shelved press and a door to a dressing room with under eaves wardrobes. Beyond is a child’s bedroom/further dressing room which also has an under eaves hanging wardrobe and connects to the back landing, with under eaves wardrobes, and used as a home office. The tiled shower room has a circular washbasin, WC and electric underfloor heating. Bedroom four has under eaves wardrobes.

The spiral stairs continue up to the second floor with steps on up to the flag tower. Bedroom five has under eaves wardrobes and a tiled en suite shower room with a glass washbasin with vanity unit and WC.

To the side of the house is a paved courtyard, linking to the porch and the kitchen. At the back of the house and off a further small courtyard is a range of outbuildings comprising a boiler room with an Austrian Herz biomass boiler and 4 tonne hopper. The workshop/garage has a fitted workbench. To the side of the house the garden is enclosed by hedges. Beyond are lightly wooded grounds with rhododendrons and some fine trees which include beech and conifers. An old WC block (3.5 m x 5.85 m) is now used for storage and there is a dog kennel, used for log storage. On the other side of the house steps from the kitchen lead to a paved terrace, with views over the loch.

Location

Lintrathen House Main Lodge is beautifully situated on the edge of Lintrathen Loch, at the foot of Glen Isla. It lies very close to the county boundary of Angus and Perthshire, so is perfectly placed to enjoy all that both counties have to offer. It is a very lovely and scenic area, yet is only just over 5 miles from Alyth and 8 miles from Kirriemuir.

The area is well known as the gateway to the Cairngorms National Park. The Angus Glens provide some of the finest hill walking in eastern Scotland and skiing is available at Glenshee. Trout fishing can be taken on Lintrathen Loch and the nearby Backwater Reservoir, which also has lovely walks. There is good bird watching at Lintrathen and at Kinnordy Nature Reserve. Ospreys can be seen and the area is a haven for red squirrels, otters and geese. The loch is a nature reserve as well as being a Wetland of International Importance. Also close by is Reekie Linn, a spectacular waterfall on the River Isla. There are a number of golf courses in the area, including Alyth, Kirriemuir, Forfar and the championship course at Rosemount near Blairgowrie.

Local shopping can be found at Alyth and Kirriemuir with more extensive shopping and business services in Forfar and Blairgowrie. Locally Peel Farm has a renowned coffee and farm shop, while the Wee Bear café and lodge is in Lintrathen itself. Close by is the new Isla Primary School with secondary schooling at Webster’s High in Kirriemuir and in Blairgowrie. Private schooling is available at The High School of Dundee, with a dedicated bus at Alyth, and also at Glenalmond, Strathallan and Craigclowan.

Despite its rural location Lintrathen is not remote. Perth and Dundee are easily reached. There are mainline railway stations at Perth and Dundee. Edinburgh and its airport are easily reached, as is Aberdeen, and there are flights from Dundee to London Heathrow.

Square Footage: 4,407 sq ft


Acreage: 1.98 Acres

Directions

Directions
From the north on the A90 turn off at the Kirriemuir junction at Forfar and proceed to Kirriemuir. From there take the B951 to Kirkton of Kingoldrum and proceed for a further 2.5 miles and turn left signposted Lintrathen and Peel Farm. Pass through Bridgend of Lintrathen and continue along the lochside for 0.7 miles and the turning into Lintrathen House Main Lodge will be seen on the right.

If heading north on the A90 from Dundee turn off on to the A928 for Kirriemuir From Kirriemuir proceed as above.

If coming from Blairgowrie take the A926 towards Alyth and Kirriemuir. At the roundabout at Alyth, turn on to the B954 (signposted Glen Isla) and continue on this road crossing the River Isla (Reekie Linn). After a further 0.5 miles continue straight at the T junction passing Peel Farm. Continue straight on at the next junction, following the signs for Kirriemuir, and the entrance into Lintrathen House Main Lodge is on the left.

Additional Info

Local Authority & tax band - Angus Council tax band G.

Listed Building - Lintrathen House Main Lodge is listed Category B

Services - Mains water and electricity, private drainage. Biomass heating.

Fixtures and Fittings - Fitted carpets, light fittings and curtains are included.

Access - Scottish Water has a right of access over the first part of the drive, although it is understood this is seldom used.