Anne and Drew Baillie bought their home at 6 School Lane, Drumoak, 10 years ago but now wish to move nearer to their new baby granddaughter.
The couple moved up from Galashiels 13 years ago for work and originally lived in the city. Drew works for the Aberdeenshire and Grampian joint valuation board while Anne is the personal assistant to the chief executive of Cornerstone.
Anne said: “We’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, but it’s time now to retire because we have a new baby granddaughter, our first, and they live in Edinburgh.
“So we are going to go back to Galashiels and we are going to retire. To be a part of that package, that whole family thing. We’ve just missed that bit.”
The couple lived in the city for three years before moving out to Drumoak, where they were the first people to move into their brand new home.
Anne said: “We originally stayed in the city because I thought I could make the city work, but no, I’m a country girl really.”
In an estate of more than 30 brand new homes, the couple moved into the three bedroom detached villa which is now on the market for offers more then £345,000.
On the ground floor, there is the open plan living room joined with the kitchen and a dining room. Anne and Drew have made alterations to the house to make it work for them and it offers comfortable and stylish living.
“Over the years we have taken down a wall,” said Anne.
“Tastes change and now it’s all the big thing to have a kitchen, sitting and dining room open relaxed area, so we have made that in the house.”
The kitchen has stylish two-toned black and grey high gloss units, roll top work surfaces and white splashback tiling.
The dining area has French doors which lead to the garden at the rear where there is a decking patio area. Just off the kitchen there is a versatile utility room.
A cloakroom has been fitted with a new white two piece suit downstairs which would be practical for a family moving in. Most of the ground floor is covered with oak flooring.
The master bedroom is downstairs and has built-in mirrored wardrobes to give plenty of storage. The bedroom also benefits from a beautifully presented en suite.
Anne said: “When we moved into the house about 10 years ago both our dads were elderly gentlemen. We could have them to stay for prolonged periods because there is an en suite there and they were all on the ground floor.
“The guest bedroom suite downstairs is great. If there are only two of you in the house you can go downstairs and shut off the top part of the house. It is like a mini bungalow.”
The staircase leads up to two more double bedrooms and wall to wall storage on the top landing. Both bedrooms are spacious and have built in wardrobes. The bathroom is stylish and practical with a three piece suit. It has a shower over the bath, white mosaic tiling and a Velux window.
In a private cul-de-sac, the home is at the bottom of the lane, giving it privacy from the other houses. This is one of the things the couple loves most.
“My favourite bit about the house is the light and the south facing garden and the privacy at the bottom of the lane,” said Anne.
“With the privacy and the garden there you get lots of bird song.
“It is a generous plot at the bottom of the lane, south facing. It doesn’t get much better.”
There is parking for several cars on the loc-bloc driveway and the integral single garage has power and light.
The front and the rear gardens are mainly lawn and the patio area at the back is perfect for summer entertaining.
Anne feels the house would suit a family, with a brand new school in the area and lovely walks along the river. It is within easy commuting distance to Aberdeen and there is a shop and a post office which service the community.
“It is a lovely area for families and for walking. Drew and I especially take advantage of the walks,” said Anne.
“You can walk to Aberdeen if you want, along the old railway track, you can walk to Banchory through Crathie and Drum Castle is very accessible. We will be looking to maybe downsize a bit, but I would have to have something with a view.
“It feeds your soul when you can sit out in the morning on your bench and have your coffee and look at a nice view.”
Contact: Gavin Bain & Co on 01224 623040.
