Enjoy the high life in Avoch, writes Susan Welsh
Sitting on a raised veranda, sipping a gin and tonic while watching the sun set sounds very romantic and slightly exotic. But there’s no need to pack your passport if this is how you’d like to spend your evenings – just head for the Black Isle village of Avoch instead.
There, you’ll find Felstead, an imposing and distinctive home on Ladyhill View and set in beautifully maintained landscaped gardens.
A home of some considerable style, Felstead has been designed to make the absolute most of its elevated, commanding position and from here offers far-reaching pleasant views over the nearby countryside, Moray Firth and beyond.
It is one of several properties which form part of a highly desirable development of similar properties on the edge of the Rosehaugh Estate and just above the postcard-pretty fishing village.
The house begins with a warm and welcoming hallway with excellent storage facilities. From here, there’s access to a stylish dining kitchen which has a bay window, Ashley Ann kitchen units and a range of integrated appliances including a Neff hob, hood, double oven and a Miele dishwasher. There is ample space for a dining table and a separate sitting area and breakfast bar with a door to the garden.
The rear-facing dining room is bright and airy with feature fireplace and inset open fire. This room has two large sliding patio doors which flood the room with natural light and offers fine views over the landscaped side and rear gardens which include a feature pond and water feature with waterfall.
As well as having a downstairs shower room, Felstead has been designed to include a fully self-contained annexe with private door at the side, but which can also be accessed from an inner hallway in the main body of the house. Ideal for letting as self-catering, the accommodation includes a bedroom with en-suite, kitchen and sitting room.
Rather unusually, the main sitting room is upstairs. Features of note include an open feature fireplace and large triple-aspect windows and a door leading out to a large balcony where you can soak up the views and enjoy the idyllic surroundings. Also upstairs is a master bedroom which has access to the balcony and en suite shower room. There are three further bedrooms, each with large, built-in wardrobes, and a luxury family bathroom with corner bath.
The house, which is on the market at offers over £450,000, also comes with a parking area to the front, garage and large timber shed, but it’s the gardens which make it stand out. They are the perfect place to relax and unwind and admire the views from several decked terraces or the substantial summerhouse. The gardens have been thoughtfully landscaped to make maintenance easy and include a vast array of mature plants, specimen shrubs and trees which provide a great deal of privacy. The garden has also been sympathetically designed to attract wildlife and there is an abundance of birdlife visiting the garden year round including, red kites, sparrowhawks, gold finches, blackbirds, tree-creepers, bullfinches to name but a few.
The house is handily placed for the local facilities and the many fantastic walks in the area as well as a harbour, beaches and places of interest. Fortrose, a popular and thriving historical town, is only two miles away and has a good range of shops including a supermarket, butcher, bakery, pharmacy, post office, bank, garage, leisure centre, library and various hotels, pubs and restaurants. There is a primary school at Avoch and a highly regarded secondary school at Fortrose.
Contact: Strutt and Parker on 01463 719171.