Private haven
When your work includes protecting the privacy of some of the most famous people in the world, having a quiet, private place to call home becomes all the more important. When Lee and Kate Sansum found a haven, they knew it was right for them. Trouble was, it belonged to someone else, writes Susan Welsh
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HAVING a private, secure home where you are not overlooked by anyone is something many of us might consider when it comes to finding the perfect house.
For Lee and Kate Sansum of Elgin, it wasn’t so much a hoped-for item on their house-hunting wish list, it was a must-have.
Because when it comes to privacy, Lee is something of an expert.
A professional martial arts instructor and former military policeman, he was at one time a personal bodyguard for Mr Mohammed Al Fayed, work which included spending the summer of 1997 protecting Princess Diana and her sons in St Tropez, just weeks before she died.
It is easy to understand why for Lee and Kate, Riverdale, their gorgeous family home in a quiet part of Elgin, was the ideal location.
“We used to live in Forres and our friends owned Riverdale,” explained Kate, who is a director of Ultimate Hair & Beauty Salon in Elgin.
“We loved the internal layout of the house and the fact that it was very private and not overlooked from any direction which is extremely unusual,” added Kate.
“Although we are literally a few minutes away from the centre of Elgin, the house sits in an acre of land bound on two sides by extremely high walls.
“The house is built on land which was once the orchard of historic Maryhill House, which explains the very high walls and fantastic soil.
“We often joked with our friends that if they were ever moving we would like the house from them. When they decided to sell they gave us first refusal and we jumped at the chance to buy it.”
The house was ideal for Lee who is also the coach for the Scotland kickboxing team, as he often shares his safety and self-protection knowledge with VIPs, business clients and professional athletes who require discretion and privacy.
Since moving in six years ago, the Sansums have welcomed lots of clients and friends to the house, which Kate tells me is a great for a party.
The unusual lay-out certainly lends itself to social gatherings.
The ground floor accommodation begins with a large entrance vestibule which leads to a smart reception hall that’s lovely and bright thanks to three large arch-shaped windows on the stairway half-landing.
To the left there’s a glass wall leading to an open-plan family/dining kitchen which the couple call the day room. A glass door leads from the day room out to a charming enclosed deck area, a space Kate laughingly refers to as the biggest play-pen in Britain.
“We deliberately enclosed this decked area so, Theo, who is three and a half, can go outside without being in danger,” said Kate.
“The day room is a great space for parties. We take out the furniture and turn it into a function room. We’ve had 60 people take part in a ceilidh here, and for my 40th we had a night of salsa dancing which was great fun.”
The lower floor also includes a huge, very well equipped gym where Lee and his son Damon, who is currently the WAKO world kickboxing champion, like to work out.
The room has double large full-length windows, which are currently home to an impressive array of organic tomato and chilli plants grown by Kate.
Other rooms on the lower floor include a study/office, WC, utility room, fully-fitted kitchen, guest double bedroom, family bathroom with a four-piece suite, and the main lounge.
The lounge has pleasant views across the gardens on three sides thanks to a combination of picture windows and patio doors, but although it’s a large room, it has a cosy atmosphere thanks to the attractive modern stove in the corner.
There’s more living room upstairs where the galleried landing is particularly spacious. It’s currently used as a second sitting room but lends itself to a multitude of uses.
From here, there’s access to the master bedroom which has a host of built-in storage space and an impressive bathroom featuring a bath, separate walk-in shower, WC, bidet, and sink set in an extremely large vanity unit.
There are two further bedrooms, a shower room, and lots of cupboards.
“The house is around 15 years old, but unlike a lot of modern houses, it has lots and lots of storage space which is perhaps just as well, as Lee has heaps of martial arts outfits and trophies to be stored.”
The feeling of space continues outside in the gardens. The front of the house has a large mono-block driveway with parking for several vehicles and established, formal gardens, which I’m told are regularly visited by squirrels.
To the side, there is the adult’s area – an impressive garden with a wildlife pond stocked with fish and surrounded by lush greenery, bound on one side by a decked area. Lee created the area after learning this part of the garden is home to the Mary Well, a well from which priests from the local cathedral used to draw water.
The rear garden is split into three areas. There’s a slabbed, enclosed child-friendly area for Theo and his pals to run about; a sunken area where Kate grows organic seasonal vegetables, and the main lawn where her collection of 16 cockerels like to run free.
Within the garden walls there is a ‘secret’ door, which leads to beautiful countryside walks along the banks of the River Lossie and nearby Bishopbriggs Park.
Standing here, it’s hard to believe there’s a busy Highland town, with excellent secondary and primary schooling just minutes away.
Although Lee and Kate have thoroughly enjoyed their time at Riverdale they feel it’s time to move on as both are keen to find a house with more land so Kate can indulge her passion for donkeys.
“I used to be involved with a donkey sanctuary in Cheshire and I’d like to set up something like that here,” revealed Kate.
“I’m also keen to go green and grow more fruit and vegetable while Lee wants our next home to be an eco-friendly one with wind turbines and so on.
“We are going to rent in a few different locations for the next few months, to help us make up our mind which location suits our needs best.”
Apart from running his sports classes in Elgin, Lee is currently working on a book about his experiences with Princess Diana which is due to be published next year.
Selling agents Strutt and Parker seek offers over £399,000 for Riverdale, Oldmills Road, Elgin. For further information call 01463 719171.
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