Hundreds of people have passed through the door of The Old Post Office in Crathie over the years, eager to exchange local gossip while the postmaster weighed packages wrapped in brown paper and string.
For the close-knit village, the post office became a community hub, but it has also been a much-loved family home for the past 200 years.
Generations of the Thomson family have grown up at The Old Post Office, and despite many members moving around the world, it has remained a point of return.
From growing accustomed to seeing the Royal Family stroll past on their way to the Crathie Kirk service, not to mention personal connections to Balmoral Castle, the Thomson family are finally calling time on a remarkable chapter in their history.
Bruce Thomson grew up at The Old Post Office with his two brothers, Angus and Alistair, and can’t quite believe the time has come to sell.
“Alistair has become unwell in recent years, I only live round the corner from our old family home but we feel the time is right to sell up,” said Bruce, who is a retired artist.
“The house needs major renovations doing and would make a brilliant project for someone.
“When it was first built by my great-great-grandfather, Charlie Thomson, there was little more than an earth floor here, so it’s come a long way over the years.”
The house was built in the first place because Charlie became involved with Balmoral Estate for Queen Victoria.
He decided to build on a spot on the old turnpike Braemar Aberdeen road, across the river from Balmoral and adjacent to Crathie Kirk.
“The post office was added on to the house and it was one of the earliest rural post offices,” said Bruce.
“It quickly became part of the community and was very important to the Royal Family. There was even a switchboard which controlled all Royal calls.
“I loved growing up here, but we never really paid much attention to the post office, it was just normal to us.”
The post office stopped running around 20 years ago, although there is still a letterbox built into the granite outside.
There are three public rooms, the largest of which housed the post office and village shop.
The sitting room is clad in pine on both the walls and the ceiling and there is a lovely fireplace.
There are three bedrooms and a bathroom, but what Bruce remembers most is roaming around the extensive grounds as a child.
“There’s about five acres of woodland and paddock which was originally used for Charlie’s goats, cows and hens,” said Bruce.
“We used to love it as kids, it was almost magical to us and we spent hours playing outside.
“Crathie has drastically changed in recent years but it’s still a stunning place to live.”
The new owners will have prime position when it comes to watching the Royals attend church every year, although Bruce can’t recall being overly impressed by the fanfare.
“I wasn’t bothered as a child, security has stepped up in recent years but I can still remember how it used to be as a kid,” he said.
“When the police had finished escorting The Queen to church, they would pop in for a coffee and a chat whilst the service took place.
“I suppose that’s pretty unusual but there’s always been involvement with the Royal Family.
“We’re invited to the various balls which are held at Balmoral; living here has been a very special experience and our family has always come back.
“Thomsons live all over the world but it is to the post office that they return to catch up on all the family news.”
Although Crathie has changed over the years, it remains a charming hamlet within the stunning setting of the Cairngorms National Park.
The ski resorts of Glenshee and the Lecht and the local golf courses at Ballater and Braemar are all within easy reach.
There is a primary school at Crathie, pre-school nurseries at Braemar and Ballater and secondary education provided at the academy in Aboyne.
Although considerable work is needed, The Old Post Office could be a beautiful country escape with a remarkable history.
Offers should be made over £375,000. Contact Bruce Thomson on 01339 742360.
