Time to say goodbye
The Tosh family has spent 14 years transforming Lea of Auchenhove from a small cottage into the beautiful family home it is today. Donna Ross discovers why they have made the decision to leave their hard work behind
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WHEN Phil and Helen Tosh viewed their Lumphanan home for the first time, they discovered it wasn’t quite what they were looking for.
“It was a small house with a couple of bedrooms. There was a lean-to porch at one end that was falling down and another wooden lean-to building at the other end. Inside, the decor wasn’t to our taste,” Phil explained.
But the thought of carrying out major work to change the property completely didn’t put them off.
“All I could see was the garden and the countryside surrounding the house,” he said.
During their 14 years at the picturesque home, surrounded by farmland, rolling hillsides and mixed woodlands, Phil has helped to gut the house, turning his hand to a number of renovation projects and helping with an extension to transform the cottage into a spacious home ideal for wife Helen, and their four children Annabel, three, Garth, eight, Jono, 10, and Mark, 20.
The end result is certainly impressive, as is attention to detail – granite and slates used to build the extensions were sourced locally to match the existing building.
The property is entered through the sun room, taking you to the entrance hall, where the staircase to the first floor can be found.
The drawing room is a charming room with windows to the south and north and an open fire. A door leads to a double bedroom with en-suite shower room.
From the hallway a double glazed door leads to the dining room, study and then on to the steam room which has been installed with a top of the range Luyisi steam, Jacuzzi and shower unit.
“The steam room was the original porch and was where the main front door used to be. It is probably one of my favourite rooms. Garth and Annabel like going in there as they can splash about without making a mess,” Phil laughed.
The spacious dining kitchen with family area has a feature exposed granite stone wall and french doors leading out to a decked patio and is where the family spend the majority of their time.
“It’s a versatile room and is a good place for Helen to keep an eye on the kids as if they vanish to the other end of the house you can’t hear them.”
Upstairs you’ll find the family bathroom with cast iron bath and stain glass window.
“The window is great – when the sun is shining colours bounce off the walls.”
The master bedroom, with balcony, is also upstairs, along with a further two double bedrooms.
“The balcony is great and the views are brilliant. We like to sit there in the summer when the kids are in bed and enjoy a glass of wine.”
Outside, Lea of Auchenhove has a mature garden extending to just under an acre of ground complete with a small stream and log cabin.
“When we moved here there wasn’t a driveway and the garden needed worked on. I’ve tried to keep it as easy to maintain as possible,” said Phil.
The log cabin is fully equipped with power and light and makes an ideal outdoor entertainment facility.
“The log cabin is our favourite room in the summer although we do like spending time there in the winter too. We have a bar out there along with a games console so it’s good to go out and enjoy a few drinks. It feels like you’re on holiday abroad sometimes when you sit out there.”
The attractive decked patio is another spot perfect for enjoying summer evenings and enjoying the beautiful scenery and wildlife.
The house is surrounded by fields and the family often see deer and pheasants close by.
“In the spring the farmer puts lambs in a pen in the field beside the house which the kids love.
“We have quads and enjoy going out and about on them. There is a track running parallel to the fields and it’s perfect for going for a walk or out on the quads.”
The double garage with up and over doors with a floored loft was another project for Phil when he bought the house.
“I had the garage built and used the upstairs as a games room, but over the years we’ve accumulated so many belongings it’s turned into a store.”
The house is in a private position but close to the village of Lumphanan where you’ll find a primary school, hotel and shops together with a nine-hole golf course. Secondary schooling is available at Aboyne where there is a range of amenities including shops, a supermarket, a health centre, banks, hotel, restaurants and a number of leisure facilities, such as a swimming pool, squash courts and a gym.
After 14 happy years at the house the family have decided to look for a new home, and another project for Phil to get his teeth into.
“It’s been hard work here, but well worth it. The house is in ready-to-move in condition and potential purchasers could just walk in.
“We will miss it here but we think the time is right to find another project for me to work on.”
Lea of Auchenhove, Lumphanan is on the market at offers over £430,000. For further information call selling agents Strutt & Parker on 01330 826800.
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