Whoever buys “Tramps” – a superb detached six- bedroom bungalow in the heart of Drumnadrochit – won’t just be getting a fabulous property with views to Loch Ness.
They’ll be getting a home built with love, where the sound of laughter and good conversation has resounded for several decades.
But there’s more. On the market at offers over £500,000, the asking price includes a second home – a detached two-bedroom bungalow built within the grounds, along with a detached double garage and enough parking spaces for a whole fleet of vehicles.
While the owners and creators of these homes are Mary and Alan Beedham, the houses are very much Mary’s “babies”, as she explained. “We are originally from the Glasgow area and moved here with our two small children so that we could enjoy a better life – which we did.
“The first house we bought in Drumnadrochit was smaller than Tramps, but one night in 1999, a friend, who ran a B&B, phoned and asked if I’d help out by putting people up.
“We did, for just that one night, but I absolutely loved it.
“So much so, that I told my husband that I wanted to run my own B&B.”
Although Alan wasn’t initially keen to get involved, he bought land and designed a family house that could accommodate guests comfortably.
The combination of his good design and Mary’s warm hospitality meant demand to stay there grew so much that they needed to build a bungalow in the grounds to accommodate guests, many of whom returned regularly.
Accommodation in the main house includes a triple-aspect breakfast room with French doors, vaulted ceiling and offers fine views down the glen and beyond; a large kitchen/diner, impressive sun lounge; a separate front-facing lounge with views towards Loch Ness, and a study.
There are six bedrooms, four of which have en suite facilities, while a fifth bedroom has a Jack and Jill bathroom.
The bungalow, known as The Lodge, has a lounge with French doors, a good-sized fitted kitchen, Jack and Jill shower room, and two double bedrooms, one of which has an en suite shower room.
“Alan designed the homes in such a way that we could have a good family life and which meant that, when the children were young, I could work from home while he worked offshore,” said Mary.
“Hand on my heart, I’ve loved every single moment of living here.
“Every morning I wake up, pull open the curtains and think, aren’t we lucky to live here.
“I feel very privileged to have met so many new people – the only thing I won’t miss is cooking all those breakfasts.
“I’ve cooked so many I can’t actually look at one myself,” laughed Mary.
Having thoroughly enjoyed living here for nearly 30 years, they have decided that it’s time for them to move on, although they plan to stay in the area.
Outside the house, which is on Balmacaan Road, sits a large plot laid mainly to gravel and grass for easy maintenance, while a large flower bed provides lots of seasonal colour.
There’s lots of space for parking, while the detached double garage has power and light.
The house, which takes its name from friends who enjoyed “tramping” the hills, is within easy walking distance of the centre of Drumnadrochit, a lively village with plenty going on and well served with a host of local amenities.
Contact: Anderson Shaw & Gilbert on 01463 253911.
