On her own admission, Tina Roberts loved nothing more than a busy working life in the city, and indulging in some retail therapy.
But her high-heel collection is now gathering dust, and Tina can usually be found walking her two Bernese Mountain dogs in the beautiful Aberdeenshire countryside.
She doesn’t have to go far to enjoy idyllic views, as the stunning five-bedroom family home in Echt looks out towards the Hill of Fare.
The Roberts family have enjoyed the good life at Westseat Steading for the past two years, having previously lived in Norway for more than a decade.
Tina, and her husband Steve, who both work in oil, are devastated to leave but are relocating to London due to Steve’s job.
Their 11-year-old daughter, Katie, has enjoyed the rural upbringing which Westseat Steading offers, and the family have more homegrown fruit produce than they know what to do with!
“My freezer is full of berries and we’ve got apples and plums; although I grew up rurally, I never imagined just how much I’d take to the lifestyle again,” said Tina.
“I look back at how much I used to shop and it all seems so silly now, because my favourite footwear is my wellies.
“I love it here and I’m so sad to be leaving, this was meant to be our forever home.”
Tina fell in love with the huge kitchen and dining area immediately, and it has remained the heart of the home.
It’s not hard to see why, as the kitchen offers modern appliances alongside a breakfast bar, and leads into an open-plan space where Katie unwinds after school.
“We had so many viewings crammed in by the time we saw this place, and we just knew right away that it would make a perfect family home,” said Tina.
“I think you’ve got to picture yourself in a house and I knew we’d be happy here, I could see us living here.”
The fabulous dining room was used as a playroom by the former owners, but Tina decided to make the most of the views which it offers across open countryside.
“It just seemed crazy not to use this room to its best advantage. Last Christmas, we had 16 people round and it was just brilliant,” she said.
Patio doors lead out to a lovely alfresco dining area, and Tina loves to sit outside when the weather allows.
“It might sound strange, but I love sitting here and listening to the silence,” she said.
“We have neighbours but there’s never any noise, it’s rare to find this sort of peace.”
A double bedroom can also be found downstairs, although it is currently in use as an office.
It would make an excellent guest bedroom as it is next to a beautifully designed shower room.
The lounge is perhaps the most breathtaking feature of Westseat Steading however, and must be seen to be truly appreciated.
The conversion of the steading has incorporated beams which run across the ceiling and meet the stone wall in such a fashion as to create bookshelves.
The unique design makes the most of clean seamless lines and offers a quirky touch.
Velux windows flood the room with light, and offer the perfect viewing experience for stargazing.
“I’ve even woken Katie up at night sometimes because the stars are just so spectacular here,” said Tina.
“There’s no light pollution, all we need to do is look up for a beautiful view.”
A feature gas fire adds a cosy element to the lounge, and the room is framed by the oak and glass staircase.
This leads to the upper floor where a beautiful bedroom can be found, and a large balcony looks over the living space below.
Excellent storage space is on offer, and the room is a favourite for visiting relatives.
The second double bedroom boasts a beautiful en-suite, whilst the remaining two bedrooms are both of good size.
The three-piece bathroom is fitted with a gorgeous circular bath, and again, a Velux window brings in light.
“We loved the fact that there’s a different view from every spot in the house; the location is just everything, so to be able to look outside all the time is perfection,” said Tina.
The garden throws up the biggest surprise, as it includes a sauna and a free-standing caravan.
“The caravan was here when we arrived, it was used by the previous owner for the nanny,” said Tina.
“We’ll happily remove the caravan unless the new owners would like it to stay, we found it a very quirky addition.”
Katie has enjoyed keeping her own chickens, and there’s also a large pond alongside various alfresco dining spots.
The garage is fully insulated and there is scope for it to be turned into a granny annexe.
“The garden has been perfect for us with the dogs running around as it is enclosed, and there are lovely walks on our doorstep,” said Tina.
“We are very sad to go and just hope someone else will be able to make the very most of it.”
Offers should be made in excess of £520,000.
Contact Burnett & Reid LLP on 01224 646565.
