to see more SCOTLAND VACATION RENTALS

This is the quintessential country house.  We saw it from the main road, a fine Georgian mansion with grand vistas.   We hoped this was the right house and it was.
 

One drives up the private avenue to the house, rambling, informal, promising surprises.  Built in 1803 and extended in 1896, it was refurbished by the present owners in 1997.  The Georgian and Victorian features were not sacrificed, but the owners' taste and life style are evident and that is the charm of this house.  This is no museum piece; it's a family home enjoyed fully by the owners.  They invite you to enjoy it also.

Enter a small vestibule and then a hallway that is so large it's actually a sitting room.  It is filled with color, style and warmth.  Original art (including some religious art), antiques and personal mementos give the room grace and cordiality.  There is a large, very nice powder room off the front hallway.

Further into the house, the spacious drawing room also has natural light, beautiful colors and the family's history.  Two couches flank the large fireplace; easy chairs add to the comfort .  Personal items, books, art, rugs, a baby grand piano and lovely fabrics adorn the room.

The dining room accommodates 12 easily.  It has a fireplace, antiques, lovely wallpaper, large windows with far-reaching views.  Dishes and linens have been chosen with care.

The conservatory is an informal eating/sitting room with bay windows providing more panoramic views.

The large kitchen is modern, but with a strong country feel.  There is a table that seats ten or twelve.  Adjacent to the kitchen is an informal study with tv, video, telephone, fax, Internet access.
 

A casual family room has tv, video player, Nintendo,  games, toys.  There is also a large larder and a boot room/laundry that has a washer, dryer and hanging racks.  There is a small chapel on this level  for meditation or prayer. Upstairs are eight bedrooms: two en suite bedrooms with king-size beds, a double guest suite with private bathroom, a very large twin room with a hand basin, three single rooms, a small queen bedroom with hand basin.  There is a hallway bathroom also.

The south facing house is set in 100 acres of grazing land for the owners' small herd of Highland cattle and sheep.  There is a beautiful walled garden that's perfect for a wedding or other gathering.  Footpaths allow exploration of the property and the land beyond.

Maid service is included for two hours three times a week.  Additional cleaning is available for an extra fee.  Baby-sitting can be arranged for an additional fee.  Cooking is also available, either for every meal or some.  Dogs are not accepted.

The Stables:

This is a newly renovated building designed for weddings or other gatherings.  It seats more than  50 at dinner.  It's available for hire to tenants of the house or it can be rented separately for special occasions (if there are not tenants in the house).

The house is one mile from the quaint village of Auchtermuchty, Scotland which dates back over 2000 years.  By the mid 1800's the majority of the population were linen weavers.  White’s Weighing Machines, seen often in America, have been made here for 250 years.  The village houses stand in narrow lanes, their rustic facades and tidy gardens lovely and timeless.   There are galleries, bistros, restaurants and antique shops in the villages throughout the area.

Edinburgh is less than an hour’s ride.  Glasgow is within 90 minutes.  Inverness is 2 ½ hours through gorgeous countryside.  World famous St. Andrews Golf Course, ½ hour away, has 5 courses.  There are 60, yes, 60, more golf courses, including Carnoustie and Gleneagles, within 45 minutes of Auchtermuchty.  Beaches, quaint fishing harbours, woodland walks, golf, fishing, ancient castles and palaces are all day trips.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE:

The house is accessible to travelers who can manage the internal staircase.