You’d be forgiven for assuming The Auld Kirk is still living up to its name, for the 19th-century building appears to be a charming church from the outside.
Found in the picturesque village of Strachan, near Banchory, you can just imagine the local community coming together for services.
It has, in fact, been decades since worshippers crossed over the threshold, and pushing back the door reveals quite simply a stunning family home.
Contemporary design, open space and original features combine to create a five-bedroom property which would not look out of place on TV programme Grand Designs.
Luckily, the current owner, Mark Hammond, who bought the property eight years ago, was able to enjoy the renovations which had already been carried out.
He has continued with the development, however, but with the children now away to university, Mark has now decided to downsize.
He has fallen in love with the surrounding area of Royal Deeside, and feels The Auld Kirk reflects his personality as a person happiest when at home with his family.
Indeed, it has been difficult to reveal The Auld Kirk to the outside world, but Mark feels the time is now right for another family to enjoy the unique design.
“I find the Auld Kirk so peaceful and private; although we have the space on offer, I wouldn’t say this is an entertaining house,” said Mark.
“It obviously has the scope, and Christmas time is wonderful, but this has been a lovely peaceful home to us.”
Open-plan space is the order of the day, as is attention to detail, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing a spot where you can unwind.
The living/dining area is incredibly versatile, and perhaps the crowning glory is the incredible two-metre-long encased wood-burning fire. Made in France, it was then lifted into the building using a crane.
Despite the high ceilings, this unusual feature means The Auld Kirk is kept cosy throughout the winter.
The dining area is set in front of tall windows, and you’ll be able to create quite an atmosphere, with space for large dining furniture.
The dining area is a beautiful mix of rural chic and practicality, and there is a large central island with in-built storage.
Cooking will never be a chore with plenty of worktop space, and this room also has a stove, so you can enjoy the benefits of 12-foot ceilings without the chilly drawbacks.
There are two further dining areas and part of the beauty of The Auld Kirk is its versatility. There is an office-cum-bedroom on the ground floor, alongside a shower room.
The remaining four bedrooms can be found upstairs, and the en-suite master bedroom even features handmade handles on the fitted wardrobes.
A second bedroom also enjoys an en-suite bathroom.
It’s worth noting that the attic space is also ready for conversion to a further bedroom.
“This has been such a wonderful home; there’s a bus stop right outside, so when the kids were going to school I could watch them hop on from the living room window,” said Mark.
“No matter what the season, we’ve loved getting out and about and there is an abundance of brilliant walks in the area.
“The weather can be really dramatic and it’s lovely to be inside and cosy whilst it’s snowing outside.
“We often play a game where we rate the sky over the hills, but we’ve been running out of numbers.”
The Auld Kirk also enjoys a relatively low-maintenance garden complete with raised decking area, which will be ideal for alfresco dining.
The thriving town of Banchory is only a short drive away where there are plenty of amenities.
Offers should be made in the region of more than £475,000.
Contact the owner on 07753 609215.
