AWARD-WINNING STONE COTTAGE WITH CONTEMPORARY REAR EXTENSION AND SPECTACULAR VIEWS TOWARDS LOCHNAGAR

coldrach, crathie, ballater, aberdeenshire, ab35 5tp

AWARD-WINNING STONE COTTAGE WITH CONTEMPORARY REAR EXTENSION AND SPECTACULAR VIEWS TOWARDS LOCHNAGAR

coldrach, crathie, ballater, aberdeenshire, ab35 5tpSummary Entrance hallway u sitting room u open plan family room and modern kitchen with Aga u dining hall u four double bedrooms u bathroom with free-standing bath and separate shower u wet room with walk-in shower, washbasin and WC u upstairs washbasin and WC u boot room

2.5 acres

EPC = D

Braemar: 7 miles Ballater: 15 miles Aboyne: 25 miles Banchory: 38 miles Aberdeen: 57 miles

Directions Travelling west from Ballater on the A93, pass through the village of Crathie and after about a mile turn right up a gated estate track. This is just before reaching Balnault Cottages on the left hand side. Follow the track for about 650m until reaching the driveway to Mains of Monaltrie House on the right. Continue following the road to the left and Coldrach can be seen up ahead about 270 metres away. Please ensure that all gates are left as you have found them, for stock.

LocationColdrach is located in a wonderfully secluded setting, sitting high on a hill with a southerly view over Lochnagar. It is within a couple of miles of the centre of the village of Crathie, which is situated between the pretty towns of Braemar and Ballater in glorious Royal Deeside. The flag of Balmoral can be seen from Coldrach’s garden.

Deeside is one of the most scenic and renowned parts of Scotland, with heather clad hills creating an impressive backdrop to the River Dee and its surrounding communities. Rising in the Cairngorm Mountains the river runs east to Braemar, Crathie and Ballater and then past Aboyne and Banchory to its mouth at Aberdeen. The area has a

wonderful range of outdoor activities. First class salmon fishing can be taken on the Dee, trout fishing is available on nearby lochs, and both high and low ground shooting can be taken on local estates. In addition to mountaineering and hill walking, there is skiing at Glenshee and an 18 hole golf course at Braemar. There are further golf courses at Ballater and Aboyne. Crathie has an active local community and there is a wide range of local shopping facilities in Braemar and in Ballater.

Both Braemar and Ballater are situated on the A93 which runs north from Perth, passes through Glenshee and then follows the River Dee to Aberdeen. It is perhaps one of the loveliest routes in Scotland. Aberdeen and Perth provide train services to the south. Sleeper services are available from Aberdeen and the airport has a range of domestic and European flights.

History The original cottage dates back to circa 1850 and was occupied until the 1950s. The current owner bought the property in 2012 when it was totally derelict. The refurbishment of the old cottage and the construction of the new rear extension were completed in 2016.

DescriptionColdrach is an enchanting traditional cottage which is stone built with a slate roof and stunning rear extenstion. It is situated in a beautifully secluded location with spectacular southerly views over the Dee valley to the rolling hills beyond, the focus of which is the dramatic Lochnagar. The cottage has been renovated to the highest standards, using local materials where possible. The flooring is locally sourced, wide board oak, the kitchen has a Caithness slate work surface throughout, and in many areas of the old cottage, the original granite remains exposed. The artisan craftsmanship, by local firm Tor Contracting Ltd, is simply outstanding. It has clearly been a labour of love and the attention to detail is extraordinary.

The award-winning design of the house is by locally based Moxon Architects. The old and the new elements of the design are complementary, together forming the horse-shoe shape of a traditional steading. Many original features in the old granite cottage have been retained, such as the exposed granite gable ends and the very generous fire-places; or they have been reflected in the refurbishment, such as the hand-carved bannisters, the match-boarding throughout the cottage and the double-opening front door. The extension, by contrast, is clad in lengths of untreated larch, with huge, solid sliding doors in the family area and in the dining hall opening out onto the courtyard which is enclosed by the old and new parts of the house. Part of the roofing on the extension is sheeted, soft red metal, both the material and the colour reflecting the region’s vernacular architecture. (This colouring is also used for the cast iron guttering on the old cottage, thereby bringing together the old and the new.) The extension has a fully glazed corner which faces southwest towards the hills of Lochnagar; and a window runs along the length of the kitchen at the back of the extension, giving a view of the silver birch woods on the

hillside behind. Like the extension, the link is clad in a combination of larch and corrugated metal, and is topped by a grassy roof, planted with wild flowers. There is also a short, glazed section which acts as the join between the original house and the new extension.

AccommodationFrom the doorway into the original cottage, the entrance hallway leads into the cosy sitting room with window and deep sill. A feature of the room is the exposed stone gable wall and Morso log burning stove with Caithness slate hearth. Opposite is another room which is almost a mirror reflection. This is a versatile space and could be used as a ground floor bedroom, study, library or snug. The ground floor bedroom which offers versatile space which might alternatively be a study or library. This room too has a deep sill (perfect for a window seat), an impressive fireplace and Morso stove with Caithness slate hearth. A hand-built oak staircase with decorative spindles leads to the first floor. A double bedroom again has the exposed stone gable wall and a fireplace recess. The stylish large bathroom includes a free standing ‘egg’ bath with Grohe taps and handshower, towel rail and separate shower enclosure with a mains Grohe shower. The washbasin, again with Grohe taps, sits within a solid oak plinth. Throughout the old cottage, there are timber, double glazed sash windows, conservation skylights, solid oak flooring and match-boarded or exposed granite walls.

Leaving the old cottage, a dining hall runs along one side of the horse-shoe shaped footprint of the building. This simply stunning area has an abundance of natural light with a sliding door which opens out onto the courtyard. This gives very contemporary style living and could be used for a number of alternative purposes. The dining hall leads to the kitchen and open plan area. The fitted kitchen has a Caithness slate work surface and solid oak breakfast bar and sills. There is a three oven ‘Dual Control’ Aga in pewter, together with a walk-in larder, ceramic sink, dishwasher, two fridges and wine rack. The open plan area has a Morso log burning stove, Caithness slate hearth and sliding doors opening into the courtyard.

Continuing in the extension, a second hand-built oak staircase leads to the first floor. Here, there are two large double bedrooms each of which have large opening skylights facing south. Between these two bedrooms is a wc and washbasin.

Back on the ground floor, there is a boot room with oak cabinets, sink, towel rail, washing machine, freezer and hot water tank. Adjacent to this room is the large wet room, with walk-in shower, together with wc and washbasin. These two areas have underfloor heating. The boot room provides rear access to the garden.

OutsideGrounds extend to circa 2.5 acres.

ServicesPrivate water and drainage. Mains electricity. Solid fuel heating with three log burners and electric panel heating. Partial under floor heating. Double glazing throughout. Telephone line and broadband. Burglar and fire alarm fitted.

Fixtures and fittings All fitted flooring, lights and bathroom fittings are included in the sale.

Local Authority Aberdeenshire Council.

Listing The property is not listed, but is within a National Park conservation area.

Recognition & Awardsu Aberdeenshire 2016 Innovation Architecture and Design

Awards – Distinction (Innovative Sustainable Development) and the overall winner (the Ian Shepherd Award) (see https://www.aberdeenshire.gov.uk/environment/built-heritage/aberdeenshire-design-awards/)

u Saltire Housing Design Awards 2017 – Commendation (http://www.saltiresociety.org.uk/awards/architecture/housing-design/)

u Cairngorms National Park Design Awards 2016 – Commendation (see http://cairngorms.co.uk/park-authority/planning/examples-of-good-design/design_awards/)

u Featured in Homes and Interiors Scotland 2017 and in Blueprint Architecture Magazine 2017

Home Report & Energy Performance A copy of the full Home Report and Energy Performance Certificate is available on request.

Servitude rights, burdens and wayleavesThe property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations and wayleaves, including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cable, drains and water, gas and other pipes, whether contained in the Title Deeds or informally constituted and whether referred to in the General Remarks and Stipulations or not. The Purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied himself as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others.

PossessionTo be by mutual agreement.

OffersOffers must be submitted in Scottish legal terms to the Selling Agents. A closing date for offers may be fixed and prospective purchasers are advised to register their interest with the Selling Agents following inspection.

ViewingStrictly by appointment with Savills – 01224 971110

Ground Floor First Floor

ShowerRoom

WC

LowerLevel

Bathroom

Bedroom 16.12 x 3.73

20'1'' x 12'3''

Bedroom 34.88 x 2.8216' x 9'3''

LowerLevel

Bedroom 24.88 x 3.8416' x 12'7''

SittingRoom

5.92 x 3.7119'5'' x 12'2''

Study/Bedroom 43.76 x 2.8412'4'' x 9'4''

Hall

DiningHall

10.29 x 2.9233'9'' x 9'7''

Utility2.84 x 2.549'4'' x 8'4''

Kitchen/FamilyRoom

7.98 x 4.8526'2'' x 15'11''

2.36 x 2.367'9'' x 7'9''

3.20 x 2.3610'6'' x 7'9''

Outbuilding

floorplans

Gross internal area (approx): 215.99 sq.m (2325 sq.ft)

Outbuilding: 14.68 sq.m (158 sq.ft)

Savills Aberdeen5 Queen’s Terrace, Aberdeen, AB10 1XLaberdeen@savills.com01224 971110

savills.co.uk

Important Notice Savills, their clients and any joint agents give notice that: 1: They are not authorised to make or give any representations or warranties in relation to the property either here or elsewhere, either on their own behalf or on behalf of their client or otherwise. They assume no responsibility for any statement that may be made in these particulars. These particulars do not form part of any offer or contract and must not be relied upon as statements or representations of fact. 2: Any areas, measurements or distances are approximate. The text, photographs and plans are for guidance only and are not necessarily comprehensive. It should not be assumed that the property has all necessary planning, building regulation or other consents and Savills have not tested any services, equipment or facilities. Purchasers must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwise. 3. Some of the photographs used in the sales particulars are property of Moxon Architects who have approved the use of the images at the time of printing. 17/08/02 SP

This map was created with Promap

Coldrach Cottage

Ordnance Survey © Crown Copyright 2017. All rights reserved. Licence number 100022432. Plotted Scale - 1:175000

This Plan is based upon the Ordnance Survey Map with the sanction of the Controller of H.M. Stationery Office. Crown Copyright reserved. (100024244). This Plan is published for the convenience of Purchasers only. Its accuracy is not guaranteed and it is expressly excluded from any contract. NOT TO SCALE.