Treasured family photos adorn the walls at 111 Kings Gate, and Ruth Cusiter grows emotional as she points out her late husband, Stan, standing proud at his son’s wedding.
Stan passed away from prostate cancer seven years ago when he was only 59, having cheered his two boys to victory in professional rugby.
Although close to both Calum and Chris, he was particularly vocal on Chris’s talents which saw him travel the world playing rugby for Scotland and even captain the team.
Despite struggling with his illness, Stan was determined to see his son walk out as captain for the Autumn Internationals, a poignant promise he managed to keep.
Now 35 and having endured many injuries, Chris has retired from the sport and lives in California with his wife, Sarah, and their two-year-old daughter, Sadie.
The couple are expecting another baby and Ruth has decided the time has finally come to leave Kings Gate behind after 17 years.
She plans to travel and spend more time with her grandchildren, but will never forget the home which Chris used as a base during the height of his career.
There are memories in every corner, and it is only now that Ruth feels ready to move on with plans. “Chris was at Robert Gordon’s College when we moved here and then he went on to study law at Edinburgh University,” said Ruth, who is a retired stroke and district nurse.
“Stan was a lawyer and Chris managed to complete his degree, it was a major juggling act with his rugby.
“Originally he showed great promise as a football player but once he tried rugby, he never looked back.
“He loved art as well though, when he was a child he’d charge his friends for caricatures on the rugby bus.
“The first thing that me and Stan loved about this house was the fact it had a south facing garden because our previous garden was north facing.
“Of course we never expected Stan to get ill, but I’m so glad we managed to make lots of happy memories here.
“Once Chris graduated he went straight into professional rugby but he always came back here to recover from injuries – he jokes that his body is held together with pins.
“I had no choice but to like rugby really, and Chris and Stan would always sit in the lounge or outside in the garden discussing the game.
“They’d watch tapes back for hours and although opinionated isn’t really the right word for Stan, he certainly had strong feelings on rugby and always told Chris what he thought.”
The four bedroom property has clearly been a much loved family home and offers plenty of options for entertaining.
The spacious lounge where Chris and Stan spent most of their time together boasts a large box bay window and feature gas fire.
There’s also a lovely traditional dining room which was always used for family get-togethers, alongside Burns suppers which Stan and Ruth held for their neighbours.
Additional dining space is on offer in the kitchen which leads through to Ruth’s favourite room, the conservatory – which the couple built on.
“This room was my refuge when the boys were watching rugby, it soaks up the sun which is why we put a proper roof on instead of glass,” she said.
“We eat in here and when Chris came home with friends, they’d sit in here having a beer.
“It’s just a lovely room to spend time in.”
There is a double bedroom downstairs complete with bay window, alongside a well fitted bathroom.
“It’s probably my training as a nurse but this room would be brilliant for anyone who is elderly or has mobility issues,” said Ruth.
“It has been handy for guests and I’m sure any teenagers would appreciate the space.”
Upstairs the master bedroom has built in wardrobes alongside an en-suite shower room.
There is a further double bedroom alongside the final bedroom which could be used as a study.
There is potential for the large basement to be turned into a games room.
Outside, the rear garden has been beautifully landscaped with mature plants and a raised patio area is ideal for the summer months.
“We always loved the garden and it has been very easy to maintain, I think there may be the potential for a studio at the end of the garden as well,” said Ruth.
“We have never struggled for parking thanks to the driveway and the garage, and there is a lane which runs down the side of the house which residents sometimes use.
“We’ve had lovely neighbours and the location is brilliant for the hospital, and I walk to the Nuffield gym every morning.
“I’ll certainly be sad to leave here, it was a base for the boys and we have a lot of happy memories.
“The time really does feel right though, and for the most part I’ve adored living here.”
Offers should be made around £480,000. Contact Burnett & Reid on 01224 644333.
