Having been beautifully restored, an elegant former manse in Moray is now looking for new owners, writes Susan Welsh.
It’s often said putting your money in bricks and mortar is a good financial investment.
A great example of this is The Anchorage, an elegant Georgian former B-listed manse, which dates from around 1835.
Sitting in a charming, secluded setting within large private grounds near the village of Alves in Moray, it’s come on to the market at offers over £775,000, but could also be bought as three separate lots which include the manse and grounds; a steading of two B-listed traditional buildings; and B-listed Alves Church.
In 2011, the P&J featured the property and at that time, it had a guide price of £570,000 for all three properties.
Back then The Anchorage, formerly known as Windsor House and thought to have been designed by renowned Elgin architect William Robertson, hadn’t been upgraded since the 1960s.
Now, it’s looking fabulous thanks to a comprehensive renovation that managed to keep many of the original features.
And it still looks like a great investment for the right buyer, especially one with an eye on tourism.
Rod Christie, who is handling the sale of the property for Galbraith, said: “The Anchorage and in particular the wooded grounds and outbuildings would lend themselves to the establishment of a leisure or tourism-related business such as holiday cottages or glamping.
“Such use would be subject to consent, but the current Moray Local Development Plan supports such development in this area.
“Full planning permission and listed building consent are currently in place for the conversion of two existing steading buildings into a four-bedroom home and also for conversion of the former Alves Church into a further four-bedroom property.
“The purchaser could capitalise on the boom in tourism in Scotland in recent years, coupled with a lack of suitable accommodation to meet visitors’ needs.
“In addition to generating a revenue by letting the properties, these conversions would significantly enhance the owner’s asset and resale potential.”
The main house is a very attractive and substantial country home with accommodation over four floors.
Accommodation here includes four large reception rooms, a wine cellar and five bedrooms, while there’s a lovely walled garden.
Alves sits midway between Elgin and Forres – both are around seven miles away.
Many visitors to Moray are attracted to its historic coastal villages such as Findhorn, Burghead and Hopeman with their golfing, sailing and water sports facilities whilst the coastline is home to many unspoilt beaches.
To the south lies the “malt whisky trail” which is also a major draw for tourists. The Anchorage in Alves is ideally situated for those wishing to explore the area.
The guide price is for offers over £775,000. Alternatively buyers can bid for the following lots:
Lot 1. Offers over £595,000. The Georgian manse and grounds extending to more than four and a half acres.
Lot 2. The Steading at offers over £80,000. Two B-listed traditional outbuildings. Full planning consent and building warrant has been obtained for conversion into a substantial and most interesting detached house with three bedrooms (two en suite) and an integral garage.
Lot 3. Alves Church at offers over £80,000.
Alves Church dates from 1769 and is B-listed.
Planning consent and building warrant have been granted to convert the church into a stunning detached house with four bedrooms with three en suite.
Contact: Galbraith, Elgin on 01343 546362.
