You can’t move for Maseratis and Ferraris. They’re everywhere these days.”
Since the launch of North Coast 500 – said to be Scotland’s answer to America’s iconic Route 66 – spotting supercars enjoying the freedom of the quiet Highland roads has become something of an everyday occurrence and remarks like these can often be overheard.
Starting and finishing in Inverness, the scenic route takes in a host of towns and villages including Golspie, a thriving and pretty village with a fabulous beach.
Property owner Emma Jack says since NC500 became a must-try route, she’s never been busier. She owns Beachside Cottage and Bothy, two lovely properties on Golspie’s Main Street, which operate as holiday lets.
The mum of two said: “The building was originally the village post office and sorting office, built around 1906. It was run as the post office until three years ago and I was the sub-postmistress. The post office branch then relocated to the local chemist shop in 2014.
“I bought the building as a bit of a shell and in 2011 converted the old sorting office into Beachside Cottage. The post office became The Bothy after closure.
“As a building of historical interest, I was able to incorporate many of the original features during the renovation. So, for example, the old PO counter is now a facade around the shower room in The Bothy, while the original weighing scales make an interesting feature in the lounge; even traces of the former telegraph room can be seen.”
Using professional, local tradesmen, it took around four months for the transformation to be completed.
Emma, who previously worked as a financial adviser, said: “It was always the plan to use the building to offer holiday accommodation in order to provide a reliable income stream. It is currently a successful let through Hoseasons and continues to attract both new and repeat visitors alike.”
With superb sea views to the rear and the beach a stone’s throw away, it’s easy to see why holidaymakers enjoy staying in this lovely detached building.
“The NC500 route goes right past the front door and it has really helped in increasing revenue this year,” said Emma.
“There’s a lot for holiday makers to do here such as visit Dunrobin Castle, enjoy the footpaths and Highland Wildcat mountain-biking trails on Ben Bhraggie, visit the nature reserve at Loch Fleet, while there’s three highly regarded golf courses within easy reach.
“Equally, Beachside Cottage would also make a good private residence where you could perhaps let out The Bothy or make a few alterations and make it one big family home.
“Golspie is a vibrant Highland village with all amenities at hand. It has a strong community and has everything you need for everyday requirements, such as a butcher and fishmonger, optician, local hospital, primary and secondary schooling, hotels and cafes.”
On the market at a fixed price of £215,000 for both homes – that’s £20,000 below the home report value – any new buyer is getting a lot for their money.
The accommodation at Beachside Cottage includes a kitchen with superb sea views and a good range of units in beech. There’s a spacious lounge/dining area with a high ceiling, original wooden floor, neutral decoration and with dual aspect windows to the front and side which allow lots of natural light in.
From here, double doors lead to a vestibule which in turn lead to an external side door. A door leads from the lounge/dining room to a modern shower room.
Returning to the lounge, a staircase leads to the upper floor and a gallery landing with two good-sized storage cupboards. This area would work well as a home office space. Upstairs, there are two double bedrooms, one of which has an en suite bathroom, and a single bedroom with coombed ceilings and large Velux windows enjoying the far-reaching views.
To the rear of the cottage is a WC and store (formerly the old sorting office) which is reached via the car park. The store has planning consent for conversion into a further en suite bedroom which would be ideal for elderly guests. This area could also be converted to an office or studio or even a café (subject to consents).
The Bothy is reached from Main Street and has wood panelling features to dado height and a tiled floor which runs through the property.
The front door leads into a vestibule which in turn leads to the lounge/kitchen dining area. There are large dual aspect windows to the front and side, again offering plenty of natural light. The kitchen area is fitted with modern beech-effect units with a high-gloss work surface.
There’s also a shower room with a modern two-piece white suite and a double bedroom from where there’s super sea views to be enjoyed. This room has a separate WC. An external door leads to the side of the property from where the car park can be accessed.
The Bothy and Beachside Cottage sit off the Main Street in Golspie and a driveway runs down the side of the property to the rear car park. The grounds are bound by stone walls to two sides and fencing to the other.
The grounds are large enough that if the new owners wanted to make this their permanent residence, one half could be turfed and there would still be sufficient parking remaining.
While she has thoroughly enjoyed breathing new life into the old post office and putting her own “stamp” on the building, Emma is selling so she can spend more time with her young family.
Contact: Bell Ingram on 01463 717799.
