For sale, a contemporary home with fab views in an area of the Highlands that’s lived in and loved, writes Susan Welsh
Across the Highlands, there are hundreds of homeowners, many from south of the border, who have chosen to settle there after falling in love with the area while on holiday. But after a few years, some find the long winters a bit harder than expected and head south again.
That’s something Mark and Jan Appleton will never do. Originally from Yorkshire, it was their love of a Highland winter that drew them to Ross-shire in the first place, as both are mad keen on winter walking.
For the past four years, their home has been Croft 23, South, an architect-designed detached house in South Erradale, near Gairloch.
“It was mountains, beaches, people and views that kept us coming north for years and years. We just kept gravitating to the area,” said Jan, 50.
“We are really keen on walking in the winter and, prior to buying here, had never actually visited the area during the summer months, so thought we should come up for a visit, just in case we didn’t like it when it wasn’t cold!”
Luckily, they liked Ross-shire in both summer and winter, so took the decision to relocate to Ross-shire once their three children had flown the nest.
“Don’t get me wrong, we love Yorkshire, but there’s just not the same mountains and beaches there,” said Jan.
“When we bought Croft 23 four years ago, when it was just a shell, and finished it off internally, it meant we could put our own stamp on it.
“Mark is a graphic designer and has his own company and I work for him, developing the business. Initially, we weren’t sure if our clients would move with us, so chose this house as the design of it meant we could offer bed and breakfast as a sort of back-up plan, just in case the graphic business struggled.”
Designed to look like two adjacent croft houses, the contemporary home offers flexible, spacious accommodation over two levels and has a light and airy feel. Even on dull days, the light within the house is good. Entry is via a magnificent glass atrium which links the two buildings, and it too is flooded with natural light which creates a pleasant indoor-outdoor feel.
The house has a large dining kitchen which is well equipped with a range of units and integrated appliances and there is ample space for a dining table and chairs. Large bi-fold doors lead into the sitting room which has a wood-burning stove and cathedral-style ceiling. This room has three sets of patio doors and again provides a great deal of light. From here, there’s direct access on to a rear decked sun terrace.
The lower floor, which has underfloor heating throughout, also has a double bedroom with a sizeable en-suite which includes a WC, wash hand basin, free-standing bath, bidet and walk-in shower. At the other side of the atrium, there’s a shower room and sauna, storage area and access to an integral garage. From the atrium, a staircase leads upstairs where there are two large en-suite bedrooms, excellent storage facilities and fantastic views to be enjoyed.
“The layout is perfect for those who want to offer B&B as the guests have the atrium and upstairs bedrooms which means they have total privacy, while we have the downstairs self-contained area, so it works really well,” said Jan.
“We’ve loved having guests and it’s been a really sociable way to live, but it was a contingency plan. As business is going well, we’re now finding ourselves a little stretched trying to run it and have guests at the same time, so we’re selling up and downsizing, but staying in the area and looking to build a smaller house here.”
Outside, the house, which is on the market at offers over £290,000, sits in around three and a half acres of croft land and has a driveway with ample parking for several vehicles plus a double garage. The gardens are landscaped with plant and shrub borders, and have flower and vegetable beds, along with a polytunnel and potting shed which means there’s plenty of opportunity to, like Jan and Mark, grow your own fruit and veg.
“We really love the area, and so do our children. We see more of them now than when they lived round the corner from us in Yorkshire,” said Jan.
“South Erradale and Gairloch is a really family-friendly area with a great community feeling – it’s an area that’s lived in and loved.”
Situated in an outstanding location that’s close to the coastline and with magnificent views stretching from the mountains of Torridon in the east and across the sea to
Skye and Harris in the west, it’s easy to see why the Appletons love living here. Croft 23 will suit a variety of buyers ranging from those looking for a beautifully appointed family home to those in search of a lifestyle property.
South Erradale is an idyllic coastal crofting community on the western coast of Ross-shire and known for its superb scenery, white sandy beaches, wide open spaces and diverse wildlife. It’s around nine miles from Gairloch and is convenient for all the local amenities and outdoor pursuits including golfing and sailing. Facilities in Gairloch include a Post Office, bank, school, doctors surgery, dentist, hotels and shops.
Contact: Strutt and Parker on 01463 719171.