With a successful fishing business to run, plus three sons, three dogs and 17 sheep to look after, life in the Watt house is never quiet.
“There’s always folk coming and going, whether that’s related to the fishing or friends of the family,” said mum Diane.
“That’s why, when it came to designing our own house, we knew it had to be one with big rooms, plenty of bathrooms and bedrooms, and lots of space outside as there’s often piles of creels and fishing nets getting dropped off,” she said.
Diane and husband Watty’s home, Boggie Park at Dixonfield, on the outskirts of Thurso, is pretty big by modern Caithness standards.
It’s got five big bedrooms, a lounge, family room, huge kitchen/dining room, office, games room, utility room, toilet, two bathrooms and an en-suite.
“Folk come in and tend to say, wow, this place is huge, but to me it’s just home,” said Diane, who knows exactly how big it is because she project-managed the building of it.
At the time, she already had two children in tow and was expecting the couple’s third.
“We both grew up on farms – me in Aberdeenshire and Watty in Caithness – and built our first house in an estate close to Scrabster,” said Diane.
But it wasn’t big enough, inside or out, and Diane felt the constant coming and going that can’t be avoided if you work in the fishing industry was starting to upset some neighbours.
“We needed to find something much bigger and were lucky enough to buy a seven-acre piece of land, which came with three substantial sheds and outlying planning permission for a house, on the outskirts of Thurso,” said Diane.
“The chap who bought our house very kindly allowed us to live there until the new house was ready, so it became a race against time to get it built.
“I worked closely with the architect to design the house – he will tell you I’m the client from hell, as I must have re-designed it about eight times – but I couldn’t see the point in spending money on something I wouldn’t be happy in.
“As time was short, I left my work and became clerk of works on-site.
“I was on the contractors’ cases all the time – I could feel their vibes saying ‘not her again’ but we had to get on. It was a nightmare at times.
“I fell down ladders and at one point, found my four-year-old son Ian – who’s been a wee devil since he’s been born – climbed up a ladder and got on to the roof,” said Diane, 44, laughing at the memory.
Thankfully Ian survived, and so did Diane.
Just six months later, she and the boys, Craig, now 20, Ian now 12, and Danny, now eight, moved in.
Watty missed the big event as he was at sea running the business, the Holborn Fishing Company, catching white fish, prawns, crabs and lobster that would wind their way from Caithness to fine restaurants in France and Spain.
“What I love about this house is that there’s lots of space and light thanks to the big windows, and while the rooms are big, it is a very warm, friendly and welcoming house that puts people at ease when they come in.
“Watty and the boys love playing pool so we have a games room, but that could easily be changed into another bedroom.
“One thing I will miss is the Aga, and so will our three little dogs who all love lying in front of it.
“To be honest, it’s been very hard for me to put the house up for sale, but we are selling up as we now want to buy a farm.
“I currently keep a small number of sheep and do lambing for a neighbour, but if we want to do more then we’ll need to get a place with much more land.
“Having gone through the whole process of building this house, and having lived in it, there’s nothing I would change, and despite all the ups and downs, I probably would have a go at building our own house again.”
Boggie Park is a substantial and well-presented detached house, finished internally to a very high standard with oak-finished doors throughout and oak finishings in all public areas.
It comes with an offset attached double garage and enjoys panoramic views across open countryside as far as Morven to the south.
As well as generously-proportioned rooms, the property comes with seven acres of land and three agricultural buildings that would be ideal for the smallholder or keen equestrian.
To the rear is a tarred drive way and off-road parking for around 10 cars. A drystone Caithness wall borders the road while double gates lead to a large pebbled landscaped area with shrubs.
To the front, there’s a large feature wall with Caithness stone crazy paving and a small lawn and drying area.
Contact: Young, Robertson & Co on 01847 896177.