Cheryl Livingstone checks out a home that has become a landmark in the village of Braemar
Looking at these photographs, you might think that Clunie Mill seems familiar. And you are probably right.
This converted mill in Braemar has featured on hundreds of postcards, VisitScotland material, calendars and been painted by artists. It is even featured on the ordnance survey map for the area itself.
Built in the mid 1800s, it was once a grain mill for the Invercauld Estate and later converted into a home in the 1950s.
This famous home came to the attention of Irene and John Didcock, Edinburgh suburbanites who were holidaying in Braemar as they are big fans of hillwalking, in 1997.
They had been staying at a caravan site and decided that they loved the area so much they thought they would spend Hogmanay there.
It was during a search for accommodation for their New Year celebrations that they first discovered Clunie Mill.
Irene, 68, said: “We were looking at accommodation next door and were standing in the balcony when we noticed this old mill had a for sale sign on it.
“We had no plans to move from Edinburgh at the time but it was just so unusual that we thought we would take a look.”
“There were a couple of joiners working there at the time,” John, 71, added.
“So they let us in to have an unofficial viewing. It was always our dream to have a house in the Highlands and we thought this would be a good base for hill walking.
“After some nudging from our family we came back for an official viewing and put an offer in.
“We just thought Braemar was a lovely place to live, its very picturesque and unspoilt. Between that and the views from the circular window in the lounge, we were just sold really.”
While they might not have ever set out to have a home in Braemar, it seems fate was acting on behalf of them.
The first instance of this force working is the fact that John actually has “mills” in his blood. He is a third generation upholsterer; his grandfather owned a mill near Edinburgh, a business that was passed onto his father and eventually John.
Secondly, after visiting the house, John’s son noticed that the shed actually had his initials on it.
And as if that wasn’t spooky enough, after the couple visited the house and returned to their caravan to discuss the possibility of buying it, they discovered that the OS map that they had been using get around the area actually featured the house on the front cover.
The four bedroom house was initially used as a holiday home but became their permanent abode when the couple retired. While it was in a liveable condition, it did need modernising. And being no strangers to DIY and renovating work, that’s exactly what they did.
Now the house is the perfect blend of tradition and modern. While it has been sympathetically brought up to date, it retains its lovely charm and character.
The lounge is a lovely, large space with its feature circular window and wood-burning stove the kitchen / dining/ sun room, an extension that the couple added in 2009, is a fantastic space to spend time with the family.
It is a space that has become a favourite with Irene and John, a place they can enjoy the beautiful scenery that surrounds their home whatever the weather is outside.
Each room in fact has some special feature that makes it pretty spectacular in its own way. But overall a lovely atmosphere has been created with the windows allowing natural light to flood every room and letting the relaxing sounds of the nearby river to be the perfect accompaniment.
It’s no surprise really that so many people have wanted to capture the beauty of this house. It was only after they bought it that they realised just how famous it is.
Irene explained: “We would walk around the village and would be looking at postcards and realise it was a picture of our house. Someone gave us a calendar which also featured the mill and we even found a brochure for a new housing development in Braemar that had used a picture of it too.
“We just couldn’t believe it really, it’s very strange but really nice too.”
Now they have decided to put their home on the market, for offers over £315,000, to move closer to their children and grandchildren.
It was a decision they have not taken lightly and said they will miss their mill in the Highlands.
John said: “It’s going to be difficult finding another home that we love as much as this.
“The house is brilliant and we just love the peace and tranquility. People always comment on it when they visit.”
“I’m really glad that we did it. When we told people they thought we were crazy but I don’t have any regrets about it. It’s been lovely being able to spend some years in this beautiful area.”
Contact: Strutt & Parker on 01330 826800.
