Characterful four bedroom home, set amidst versatile grounds of 1.25 acres with former blacksmiths outbuilding. Located in the delightful countryside hamlet of Midmar.

Description

Originally built around 1860, this four bedroom home retains the drovers’ window at the western gable end of the house, which used to help guide those using the tracks and paths down the hills during the night and bad weather. Other intriguing features at The Old Smiddy include the distinctive horseshoe shaped doorway of the former smiddy to Cluny Castle, now a characterful outbuilding. Bought by the current owners around 17 years ago, care has been taken to enhance existing period features such as the fireplaces and ceiling beams, while also breathing new life and character into this wonderful home with many bespoke features, including the extensive use of reclaimed Jarrah timber from Perth Australia which dates back to the 1950s.

A teak entrance door with porthole, re-purposed from a Maersk vessel, leads into the welcoming entrance vestibule. Fitted with Jarrah hardwood flooring, the hall has dual aspect windows overlooking the property frontage. Set within an exposed granite wall, a partially glazed door leads into the delightful sitting room, which exudes a warm and inviting ambience. The walls are a neutral colour to highlight the exposed ceiling beams, and fossilised sandstone flooring runs through the entirety of the original house, and benefits from underfloor heating.

Ample space is available for freestanding furniture within the sitting room and windows on two sides allow for plenty of natural light, while the central feature is the striking exposed chimney breast with solid wood mantel. Within the deep pointed stone recess is the wood burning stove on a tiled hearth; perfect during the colder weather.

A 15 pane door leads into the characterful dining kitchen which overlooks the rear grounds via deep silled windows, while a glazed door opens into the yard. With excellent space available for formal dining, the kitchen is of a bespoke design and includes a good range of fitted storage with oak fronted doors and incorporating an integrated double oven and wine cooler. Extensive laminate work surfaces are bordered by contemporary splashback tiling and incorporate a 1.5 sink with drainer and induction hob with wall mounted recirculating extractor fan above. It is understood that the freestanding fridge/freezer and dishwasher shall remain.

The well appointed utility room also operates as a boot room, with a fitted bench, shelving and coat hooks. Storage units incorporate a 1.5 stainless steel sink with drainer, while it is understood that the raised washing machine and tumble drier will remain. The hot water cylinder and central heating boiler are both located in the utility room, with a partially glazed door leading out to a paved terrace.

Lying partially on open plan to the sitting room, the family room overlooks the property frontage and forms part of the original property. A charming living space, there is an ornamental stone fireplace and deep shelved display alcove. Ideal as a study or playroom, the family room is next to the contemporary family bathroom, which is fully tiled around the white three piece suite, with a rain effect shower head over the bath.

A bespoke staircase with curved balustrade from Jarrah and whiskey staves ascends to the first floor landing, which lies on a gentle split level. A velux skylight provides lovely countryside views, while on the upper portion of the landing there are fitted storage units with a row of open shelving.

Overlooking the rear of the property towards the top of the hill, the principal bedroom is a well proportioned room benefitting from a super walk in wardrobe with lighting and laminate flooring, while also boasting a contemporary en suite shower room. Of neutral décor to contrast with the coloured tiling, the white wash hand basin and WC are incorporated into an attractive vanity unit with storage, while there is a panelled mirror with lighting above the wash hand basin. The shower enclosure includes a central curved shower with water jets.

Double bedroom two is a further well proportioned room which benefits from lots of natural light from twin deep silled windows. A sliding door reveals wardrobe space, while there is also a range of shelving and a fitted desk. Double bedroom three enjoys far reaching views across the local countryside via a velux skylight and has display shelving and lights above the bed; a fitted desk has been created from a former packing crate. Double bedroom four is of neutral decoration and carpeting, and is currently used as a spacious home study. A velux window allows for southerly views across the countryside.

Completing the accommodation is the modern shower room. An attractive vanity unit incorporates the wash hand basin and WC, while there is a fully tiled shower enclosure.

Location

The Old Smiddy is ideally positioned for country living, yet lies only 16.3 miles from Aberdeen city. Situated within the beautiful countryside hamlet of Midmar, there is a thriving village community with primary school and village hall which is used for local events. The Treehouse home store with restaurant is popular with both locals and visitors alike, while the wider area of Midmar is well positioned to take advantage of a range of outdoor pursuits, including hillwalking, horse riding, fishing, golf and skiing. Secondary education is available at Alford Academy, with the school bus going past The Old Smiddy.

Within the nearby village of Echt, there is a village store and award winning Indian restaurant. Further afield, Westhill provides an excellent range of amenities and leisure facilities, including an 18 hole golf course, health centre, a bustling shopping complex with Marks and Spencer Food Hall and Costa, while there are also COSTCO and Tesco superstores. With a range of businesses based within Westhill, there is also ease of access to the AWPR, providing a quicker commute to areas north and south of the city centre, including Aberdeen International Airport. Within Aberdeen there are regular train services, including a sleeper to King’s Cross London. Aberdeen provides all the services of a major city, including business and leisure facilities, theatres and cinemas, restaurants and a wide range of shopping. There is private schooling including Robert Gordon’s school, St Margaret’s, and Albyn as well as the International school at Pitfodels. There are two universities and colleges of further education

Echt 2.6 miles
Inverurie 13.3 miles
Westhill 9.6 miles
Aberdeen City 16.3 miles*

*Please note that all distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 1,690 sq ft


Acreage: 1.25 Acres

Directions

From Aberdeen, proceed along Queens Road, and continue towards Westhill along the A944. At the traffic lights, turn left along the B9119, keeping the industrial estate to your right hand side and proceed along to Garlogie and thereafter Echt. Proceed straight through Echt on the Tarland Road, before turning right at the sign for Marionburgh/Sauchen. At the following junction turn left, and The Old Smiddy is located on the right hand side.

Additional Info

OUTSIDE
The Old Smiddy is situated within wonderfully versatile garden grounds of about 1.25 acres which are also thought to be suitable for equestrian use if so required.

To the front of the house there is a small fenced area laid in grass, while the driveway leads up to a fully enclosed and gated yard which has been laid with loc-bloc paving, providing extensive parking and a sheltered terrace over which an outside wood burner presides, ideal for outside gatherings during the winter.

The former smiddy is a striking outbuilding, with a distinctive horsehoe shaped doorway, while a further set of twin timber doors leads into the workshop with high ceiling. Fully insulated and lined, there are power and light supplies. The store room is accessible from the workshop and includes a storage loft, with partly insulated and lined walls. There is great potential for future renovation, along with a separate stone built outbuilding. To the exterior of the smiddy is an attractive decked seating area with bespoke planters and a pizza oven. Behind the outbuildings there is an area of lawn, to the centre of which lies a fenced fire pit area, while beyond lies a fenced grass paddock, extending to about 0.7 acres.

Across the road from the property lies a south facing garden, thought to have once been used for growing vegetables. Now fully enclosed and laid to lawn with hedging, lovely views can be enjoyed from this vantage point.