4 bedroom detached house for sale

A pretty traditional cottage in a peaceful, unspoilt highland setting

Description

Originally a farm cottage with outbuildings, Balloch is believed to date from the 18th century and was historically occupied by the shepherd for Forter Farm. In the 1980s the outbuildings at Balloch were joined to the cottage and converted into additional accommodation so that the property is now deceptively large and comfortable as well as having lots of traditional character. In the last couple of years the property has undergone a subtle and sensitive refurbishment.

Balloch is approached via a shared private track which leads to parking beside the house. The original front door to the house opens into a small hall with a sitting room on one side and an office/ bedroom 4 on the other. Both these rooms have pretty south facing windows. The sitting room has a large stone fireplace and woodburning stove. Painted timber beams and wall panelling give the room a cosy feel. It links to the kitchen which is situated in the centre of the property. With space for a dining table, and characterful pine cabinetry as well as a two oven AGA in British Racing Green, this is a warm and welcoming room ideal for informal dining. Behind the kitchen and on a slightly raised level is an impressive dining room which was created within the old stone steading. The room has a mixture of timber lined and exposed stone walls. Its vaulted ceiling has timber beams and large windows on both sides fill the room with light. This is a wonderfully versatile room and in the past has been used variously for dancing, dining, working and as a games room.

Beyond the dining room is a short passage to the main bedroom and bathroom. Spanning the width of the building the main bedroom is both roomy and cosy with three windows keeping it bright. The bathroom has recently been completely refurbished and has a walk in shower, a jacuzzi bath and glossy herringbone wall tiles. Balloch also has a utility room / boot room with plenty of space for outdoor gear, as well as a larder/pantry. On the first floor, there are two characterful south facing double bedrooms and a bathroom.

Outside
Balloch is set in about 0.8 acres of garden which wraps around the house and is mainly down to grass with gravel parking edged with field stones. Birch, copper beech and conifers are amongst the trees that surround Balloch, giving the garden shelter, interest and privacy. The Duchray Burn flows down the eastern boundary of the property and is a lovely part of the garden. A footbridge leads across the burn to the perfect spot to sit out and enjoy the evening sun. An old stone dyke forms the northern boundary where there is also a useful timber shed and a greenhouse.

Location

Balloch has a wonderfully private and peaceful situation at the end of a shared farm track and set back from the hill road that links Glenisla with Glenshee. Glenisla is arguably the prettiest of all the Angus Glens with its rolling green fields on either side of the River Isla with more dramatic hills beyond. Mount Blair, Loch Shandra, Loch Auchintaple, and the Cateran Trail are all easily accessible from the house and the southern boundary of the Cairngorms National Park is less than a mile away. Stalking as well as pheasant and grouse shooting can be taken on local estates. Fishing is available on the local rivers Ericht, Isla, Shee and Tay as well as lochs Shandra and Lintrathen and on the Backwater Reservoir. Cycle routes include a 6 mile road circuit around Glenisla and extensive off-road tracks in Glen Markie and the surrounding glens. The ski centre at Glenshee is 14 miles away and there are three golf courses at Alyth as well as a championship course at Rosemount (Blairgowrie). Blairgowrie (17 miles) has supermarkets, cafés, restaurants and professional services. There is a primary school in Lintrathen and secondary schooling in Kirriemuir and Blairgowrie as well as a choice of private schooling closer to Perth.

Perth (34 miles) and Dundee (29 miles) are easily reached and offer all the services expected of major cities. Dundee, Aberdeen and Edinburgh airports have regular flights to London.

All distances and travel times are approximate.

Square Footage: 2,210 sq ft


Acreage: 0.8 Acres

Directions

From Blairgowrie follow the A93 north towards Glenshee. Drive through Bridge of Cally and after about 7.5 miles turn right onto the B951 towards Cray, Forter and Glenisla. Follow this road for about 2 miles and the entrance to Balloch is through a farm gate on the left-hand side.