Health experts have said, for many years, that living close to the seaside is good for you. Instant access to beach walks and fresh air are good for your health and can boost the spirits, which means that whoever buys Jubilee Cottage in Rosemarkie is in for a real tonic.
This stunning house on Hawkhill Road in the popular coastal village in the Black Isle has been home to Renee Hartley and her partner, Andy Morrison, for several years and it’s Renee, a builder’s daughter originally from Warrington in Cheshire, who can take credit for creating this wonderful property.
“The house is thought to date back to around 1910. When I first saw it in 2007, it was still a pretty traditional cottage which hadn’t changed much over the years, but I could see it had lots of potential and loved the views,” said Renee, who has had homes in the Highlands, while often working outwith the area, for years.
She was just 21 when she first had a go at designing a house, so knew exactly the type of house she wanted to create here. However, her ideas and those of the local planning committee didn’t quite match.
It was a long, hard struggle and took a few years before everyone was happy, but the end result shows it was worth the wait.
The house, which is truly at one with its surroundings and occupies an outstanding position overlooking the Moray Firth, is a fantastic family home, flooded with natural light and enjoying the sort of views tourists rave about.
“I was working in France for much of the time when the house was being built, but left that side of things in the capable hands of local builder Fraser Lee, from Beauly, who did an excellent job,” said Renee, who works as an HR director in the oil and gas industry.
Lovingly extended and upgraded, the house is now a charming contemporary home. Access to the house is via a private single track which leads to a parking area and detached garage.
As you enter the rear garden, which leads to the entrance of the house, you can hear the noise of the waves reaching the beach below and see for the first time the beautiful ever-changing views of the coastline and beyond.
Entrance is via the hallway which leads to a beautifully appointed sitting room. A combination of large windows front and rear, as well as Velux windows, effectively bring the outside inside.
With its high ceilings, wood-burning stove and views, this is the perfect room in which to relax and enjoy the local area, which is famed for its wildlife and, as Renee can confirm, an ideal spot to watch the local dolphin population at play.
The large open-plan kitchen/dining area is beautifully presented and has a range of wall and base storage units, wine cooler, American-style fridge-freezer, Bosch integrated appliances and breakfast bar.
Both Renee and Andrew are music fans and their love of music is reflected very stylishly in this room. There is ample space for a dining table and chairs, and doors giving direct access to a decked area and gardens. The rear porch leads to a walk-in utility/storage area.
The master bedroom has lovely views and a modern en-suite, complete with large walk-in shower, floor tiles, WC, and wash-hand basin. There are a further two bedrooms and a family bathroom which has a “P” shaped bath with shower over, WC, wash-hand basin and heated towel rail.
A hatch from the dining area leads to a staircase taking you down to the basement, which is used currently as a gym and for storage, but provides excellent development potential, subject to the appropriate planning.
Measuring approximately 16ft x 25ft, the basement served originally as an ice house, a remnant of the once-thriving salmon fishing industry in the area.
Outside, the gardens are enclosed and easily maintained, interspersed with shrubs and plants, and with a decked sun terrace with stunning sea views, garden shed and detached garage.
As well as overlooking the coast, the house also enjoys fine views of its neighbours’ well-tended colourful gardens.
Immaculate throughout, a statement painted on the lounge wall: “Je Suis Ma Liberte” which means, I am my freedom, is a clue as to why the house is now for sale at offers over £395,000.
Renee said: “We have lived here since 2011 and really enjoyed it, but are now going back to France to live there permanently. Rosemarkie is a fantastic place in which to live, especially if, like me, you work in the oil or gas industry, as there’s easy access to transport links to both Invergordon and Aberdeen.
“The views from this house are just fantastic, while Rosemarkie has everything you need, such as shops, good schools and an excellent new play park with zip line.”
Contact: Strutt and Parker on 01463 719171.
