HAVING their peaceful country garden draw gasps of admiration is something Iain and Caroline McIntyre-Younger, the owners of Muir of Balnagowan House near Ardersier, have got used to.
Their beautiful gardens attract a great deal of attention and visitors, especially since the couple agreed to take part in Scotland’s Garden Scheme (SGS).
The scheme, a registered charity created in 1931, raises funds for other worthy charities by facilitating the opening of large and small gardens of horticultural interest throughout Scotland to the public.
The gardens that open for SGS include Scotland's finest, and are mostly privately owned and are normally inaccessible to the public at other times.
The gardens were last open for public viewing in August, when visitors could not only enjoy the seasonal blooms but tuck into a selection of home-baking too.
The couple charged £3 admission — 40% of monies raised were donated to the Highland Hospice, the rest going to SGS beneficiaries.
With autumn now in full swing, the gardens are looking particularly colourful at present, which is why those viewing the house which is now up for sale, are in for a real treat.
A former farmhouse, Muir of Balnagowan House has been carefully extended and modernised over the years. The result is a very attractive and flexible family home with well-laid out, tastefully decorated accommodation throughout.
It certainly looks quite different to when the couple first bought the house. Since moving in they have transformed the kitchen, completely relined all the walls, installed central heating, re-roofed the building, put in new windows and worked their green-fingered magic in the gardens.
The ground floor accommodation begins with an vestibule which leads to a large quarry-tiled reception hall with WC. From here there is direct access to the kitchen and large sitting room come dining room with exposed stone wall and wooden floors.
Off the sitting room is a separate dining room which could be used as a large double bedroom.
A conservatory on the south-west of the house takes full advantage of the natural light.
The large kitchen is a stunning room, completely re-designed from the original to include a stylish range of Shaker-style kitchen units, separate dresser and island.
It comes with a host of integrated appliances including a dishwasher, fridge, stainless steel electric hob, oven and microwave.
From the kitchen there is access to a utility room housing the central heating boiler.
Moving upstairs, the upper hall gives access to a further three bedrooms. The master bedroom has an en-suite shower room while the guest bedroom, which has large fitted wardrobes, may be suitable for dividing into two smaller rooms.
There is also a family bathroom with separate toilet and a large walk-in store room.
Outside, the aforementioned gardens form a lovely backdrop to the house, and are designed to be easily maintained. The gardens are split into different compartments; the tree garden, the main formal garden, the orchard area with plum and apple trees, the vegetable area and a herb garden.
The house itself sits in the hamlet of Upper Carse which is around two miles from Ardersier, just over four miles from Nairn and around 15 miles from Inverness.
Local amenities in Ardersier include a shop, pub, restaurant and primary school.
Selling agents, Strutt and Parker, are seeking offers over £285,000 for Muir of Balnagowan House.
For further details call 01463 719171.