Those with long memories will remember a famous TV advert in which Scottish actor James Robertson Justice tucked into a bowl of warming soup while telling the world that it was made by neighbours of his, from just across the Firth.
That “neighbour” was none other than Ena Baxter and her home, Speybank House in Fochabers, is now up for sale.
It was in the kitchen of this impressive and historic house that Ena, who was regarded as Scotland’s soup queen, devised many of her famous recipes.
The kitchen is said to be the heart of every home but this one gained something of a celebrity status as it was also the set for many of her television adverts. Indeed, it was so popular that, further along the ground floor of the house, there’s a Last Cast bar, in which many a memorable evening has been enjoyed.
As well as being a fabulously inventive chef, Mrs Baxter, who died aged 90 earlier this year, was a talented painter who had studied at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen and maintained a passion for art all her life.
But it was her desire to mass-produce high-quality tinned soup that really helped put the family business on the culinary map.
Many of the nation’s best-loved recipes were created in the humble surroundings of her kitchen, where she brewed up a range of soups using local produce and was credited for reviving interest in traditional Scottish fare.
But the kitchen is not the only room of interest in this superb property, which also comes with a separate, beautifully converted Coach House and is set in private grounds.
Originally built by the Duke of Richmond and Gordon for his factor, Speybank is arguably one of the most desirable and largest houses in the area.
Although it is in the heart of the thriving and pretty village of Fochabers, the house is very private, surrounded by well-maintained extensive gardens and a field of more than four acres which would be ideal for grazing ponies or horses.
The house, which is on the market at offers over £850,000, was previously one of Fochabers’ most popular hotels before the late Gordon Baxter purchased it in 1964 and converted it back into the wonderful family home it is today. Speybank is thought to date back to the 1800s and is constructed of stone under a series of pitched slate roofs with accommodation on three floors.
The ground floor has an impressive dining room and a magnificent drawing room with an attractive open fireplace and glazed doors to the conservatory. A passage leads to the rear of the house and to the famous kitchen, a spacious room with an Aga.
On the first floor, there are six double bedrooms and three bathrooms. All of the upstairs bedrooms enjoy wonderful views over the private grounds.
There is also a store room and WC, while the second floor has two attic bedrooms and further storage.
Rod Christie, who is handling the sale on behalf of CKD Galbraith, said: “Speybank is undoubtedly one of the finest houses in the area. With so many fine period features and a range of spacious rooms, the house could be used not only as a wonderful family home, as it has most recently, but possibly as a boutique hotel or guest house.
“Many of the ground-floor rooms have tall ceilings with ornate cornicing and plasterwork, open fireplaces with attractive surrounds and mantelpieces, working servant’s bells and timber shutters. The interior décor would benefit from a degree of modernisation, however it would allow the new owners to put their own stamp on the property and breathe new life into a truly remarkable building.”
Fochabers is a lively Moray village which sits on the banks of the River Spey, and residents can take advantage of a packed calendar of arts, cultural and social events.
To the west of the property, approximately nine miles away, Elgin provides a wide range of facilities including a leisure centre, hospital and retail park, as well as a train station with services to Inverness and Aberdeen.
Private schooling is available at Gordonstoun, about 14 miles away, while both excellent state primary and secondary schooling is available in Fochabers itself.”
In addition to Speybank House, the sale of the property also includes the charming Coach House, which was converted into a home in the 1980s. It would be ideal for use by staff or elderly relatives or even potentially as a holiday or longer-term let, generating an additional income for the new owners.
This one-and-a-half storey house has a sitting room, kitchen/dining room, cloakroom and two bedrooms, both of which are en suite.
Contact: CKD Galbraith’s Elgin office on 01343 546362.
