An exceptionally energy-efficient, modern home with acres of land makes Cloverlea House the perfect property for those looking for a large family base, writes Susan Welsh
Unable to find a property in either a location that really suited them or at a price that fitted their budget, Heather and Mike Mackay decided to have a go at building their own home.
While some may have been daunted at the prospect, they embraced the challenge.
“I’m the daughter of a building contractor and, although my father never built his own house, I kind of grew up on building sites and used to be fascinated by the drawings and house plans I’d see him working on,” said Heather, who works full-time as a nurse at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
“Mike used to dabble a bit in house renovation, so building our own home seemed the sensible thing to do, as for us it was the most affordable way to go.”
Their first home was a four-bedroom house on the Black Isle. They then sold up and moved elsewhere on the peninsula, this time building a much larger house closer to the business they were running at the time, a chip shop in Connon Bridge.
But the combination of having five children and Mike’s rather unusual hobby – he kept a herd of pedigree Charolais cattle – meant they needed a house with even more space and lots of land.
When a plot of more than 40 acres came up for sale at Seafield, Portmahomack, they jumped at the chance to buy it.
“It was a bit of a gamble as the land didn’t come with planning permission, but it all worked out in the end,” said Heather.
“We used the same architect we’ve always used, Douglas Stuart, from Inverness, as we have a good relationship with him and he knows what we like. We go to him with a sketch, then he suggests points of change and makes it legal and proper.”
Their current home, Cloverlea House, is on the market at offers over £535,000, a price tag that includes the large five-bedroom, extremely comfortable, modern family home that sits in five acres of land, as well as an additional 36 acres.
The accommodation is spread across one floor and comprises an entrance hall, sitting room with wood-burning stove, a well-appointed dining kitchen with Rangemaster electric cooker with halogen hob, extractor hood and American fridge-freezer.
From here, partly glazed double doors open on to a large conservatory with windows on three sides, plus doors leading to a sun-trap patio.
The master bedroom has an en suite shower room and there are four further good-sized bedrooms, a family bathroom, study, utility room and cloakroom.
“Throughout the house, there’s lots of cupboards – big, deep cupboards as that’s one thing I’ve always insisted on,” said Heather.
“If we build again, and I think that’s on the agenda, then I’d definitely include lots of cupboards, especially a big linen cupboard.”
Cloverlea House, built in 2010, is approached off the public road, with a gateway opening to a driveway that leads to a gravel parking area in front of the home.
The house itself has been completed to an extremely high standard, with top levels of insulation and an iCon zoned underfloor heating system. The system has been installed to allow easy conversion to a ground-source heat pump.
The interior of the house is well appointed with oak finishes and top-quality kitchen and bathroom fittings, while natural light with that unique coastal quality fills the house.
Heather, who is mum to Scott, 25, Jenna, 23, Corey, 20, Laura, 17, and Morgan, 12, said: “The conservatory offers a 360-degree view of the surrounding countryside and on clear days you can see the Moray Firth.
“It’s one of our favourite rooms in the house, although every inch of the house is used.
“We didn’t build a big house to be flash. It was because we had a big family and lots of animals. At one time, Mike kept cattle, pigs and sheep, and the older children helped with these, but they’ve left the nest now so we’ve gradually got rid of the animals.
“The land that comes with the house makes it ideal for anyone who perhaps keeps horses or wants to start a small business or run a croft.”
The gardens surrounding the house are laid mainly to lawn, with a flagstone path leading around the house to a flagstone patio. A paddock lies adjacent to the house, while the remaining acreage currently forms part of the farmland.
The farmland, about 36 acres of it, is also available for sale as a separate lot. It’s a block of good-quality IACS-registered bare arable croft land, predominately grade 3 and well fenced with separate access.
The land is eligible for single farm and arable aid payments. Prior approval has been granted for farm buildings.
Cloverlea House sits on the edge of the picturesque coastal village of Portmahomack, on the Tarbat Peninsula, and is about 12 miles from Tain.
The area is known for its dry climate, wonderful coastal light and fertile farmland culminating in a coastline of sheer
cliffs and sandy beaches dotted with historic fishing villages.
Portmahomack, with its sandy bay and views to Sutherland, has a post office, shop, fish restaurant, hotels and highly regarded golf course, while nearby Tain has an excellent range of shops and amenities, including primary and secondary schooling.
“I think what I’ll miss best is the area as, in the summer months, it’s absolutely beautiful, but when it gets colder, there’s nothing to beat coming home to the wood-burner in the lounge,” said Heather.
Contact: CKD Galbraith on 01463 224343.