Substantial six-bedroom detached property set in 1.4 acres of fabulous mature garden grounds on the periphery of the popular village of Kirkhill

History
The parish of Kirkhill, was formerly called Wardlaw, because the garrison of Lovat were accustomed to keep watch or ward on the law or hill.

Wardlaw church stood originally at Dunballoch. Early in the 13th century it was transferred to a hillock then called Balcabrac, which was the Ward-law or Watch-hill for the Lovats. The site of this church was abandoned in 1790, and is marked by the Lovat Mausoleum just a few hundred yards from Wardlaw House.

The original part of Wardlaw House was erected in 1776, just 30 years following the Jacobite Rebellion and the Battle of Culloden. Built majestically perched overlooking the parish of Kirkhill and serving as the manse for the then serving
Minister.

Approximately one hundred years later, what is now the rear of the property was built and the two parts became linked with passageways and symmetrical staircases to form one dwelling.

Description
Wardlaw House is a substantial property which is currently divided to provide a completely renovated and upgraded three-bedroom annex to the front and a three-bedroom self-contained home to the rear which is partially renovated and upgraded to a high standard. The property has retained original features such as decorative cornice and Butler’s call bells to all the main rooms.

The property has been rewired and newly plumbed and the major renovations completed so the remaining upgrading to certain rooms should be purely cosmetic.

Wardlaw House sits in beautiful garden grounds which are full of wildlife, with a family of red squirrels who reside in the feature three pronged cedar tree to the front of the house.

There is a steading to the rear which offers development potential (subject to necessary consents).

Wardlaw House offers the purchaser the opportunity to have family members close-by or to have a high-end holiday letting business. The current occupier currently does so with the accolade of a 5 Star award with the Scottish Tourist Board.

The property is approached by a sweeping driveway which leads to the front of the property where stone steps lead to a Doric Portico from where a half-glazed door opens to a spacious entrance hall. To the right of the hall is a drawing room which has floor to ceiling windows which overlook the front lawn. There is panelling to half height and a central feature of a slate hearth with wood burning stove and wooden mantle and surround.

A further door leads to the inner hall which has two built-in storage cupboards, a WC and door to the kitchen.

The WC has a two-piece suite in white comprising WC and wash hand basin. The kitchen has floor and wall units in cream with beech worksurface and stylish splashbacks. There is a Samsung fridge freezer, Zanussi washing machine, Zanussi dishwasher and Ultima oven and grill with four-ring ceramic hob which can be included by separate negotiation if required. A window looks to the side garden.

A staircase leads from the hall to the upper floor landing which gives access to the bedrooms.
Bedroom one is a spacious double room with dual aspect windows to the front a view across the front lawn and garden and to the side far reaching view to the Beauly Firth, it has a built-in storage cupboard. There is a central feature of a cast-iron fireplace with wooden mantle and surround.

Bedroom two sits centrally and has a window to the front overlooking the garden. It has a feature cast-iron fireplace and built in cupboard/wardrobe.

Bedroom three is to the right of the hall and is another double room, (currently used as a family room with a double and single bed) with dual aspect windows to the front and side overlooking the side lawn with extended views to the woodland.
From the landing the hallway leads through to the stylish luxury bathroom which has a three-piece suite in white comprising WC, wash hand basin and bath with handlebar style attachment over. The bath is an original Victorian freestanding bath. There is a modern walk-in shower with slate flooring and wet wall panelling around with a rain forrest fixed head and additional hand held hose. An illuminated mirror and demister and electric shaver point.

The current owners accommodation is accessed from the rear by a door which leads to the entrance porch which in turn has double doors to the utility area where there is a sink unit and also houses a washing machine, tumble dryer and fridge freezer. There is a large walk-in pantry offering excellent storage.

A door opens to the hallway which gives access to the dining room. The dining room has a cast iron feature fireplace with wooden mantle. Double doors open to the stylish sitting room which has been upgraded and has dual aspect windows to the front and side lawns. The windows to the front are floor to ceiling offering plenty of natural light. There is a central feature of a fireplace with slate inserts, hearth and wooden mantle and surround.
The kitchen area has an excellent range of floor and wall units in cream with a polished granite worksurface.

There is a built-in Bosch dishwasher, a built in a double oven, grill and microwave. A inset five-ring induction hob and variable speed extractor fan with twin lights all of which are Neff appliances. There is also a John Lewis American style fridge freezer with ample space for a large dining table in front of the window which looks on to the rear garden. Quality laminate flooring compliments this airy room with modern LED directional lighting. The original service call bell system is located above the kitchen door.

A staircase of cast spindles and wooden had rail with a dog leg turn raises to the first-floor landing. Beautiful and unusual barrel doors grace a spacious landing to each of the bedrooms. To the right of the hall is a large storage cupboard.

Bedroom four also sits to the right of the hall and has a window overlooking the rear garden. There is a bathroom which has parquet flooring and a three-piece suite including WC, wash hand basin, bath with an electric Mira Sport power shower over . It is fully tiled floor to ceiling.

Bedrooms five and six are again double bedrooms, one which overlooks the rear garden and one with views over the side lawn and reaching woodland.

A further staircase rises to the second floor where there are four attic rooms which are floored and offer excellent storage. These areas could be further upgraded to offer further sleeping accommodation.

External
The garden grounds are extensive and mainly laid to lawn with numerous planted beds and borders tastefully planted with cottage garden plants, shrubs and many other oriental species. There is a gravel area to the front for parking and there is also a turning circle to the rear originally used in the days of horse and carts. The garden is bounded by mature trees and stone wall giving a great degree of privacy. The garden is a haven for wildlife with red squirrels often seen on the dedicated feeders along with a wider variety of birds.

Steading
There is a large steading to the rear which is of stone construction with a slate roof. It is compartmentalised and offers superb storage but also has good development potential (subject to necessary consents).