Within the bounds of Culloden Battlefield lies a delightful country home and mini estate which enjoys views of an iconic landmark and a hint of African style, writes Susan Welsh
On the outskirts of Inverness and within the bounds of Culloden Battlefield sits a gem of a house, one where even on a miserable grey day like the day we visited, radiates with more than a hint of African warmth.
Leanach House, owned by Debbie and Duncan Owen, reflects the lifestyle of the couple who for much of their lives have split their time living between Africa and the UK.
The first hint of what lies behind the front door of the substantial house, built in 1894 – the same year the iconic Culloden Viaduct which it overlooks was completed – can be seen in the gardens.
For dotted within the garden, which provides year-round colour, are wonderful, large sculptures of exotic birds, some of which are included in the asking price, others available by separate negotiation.
“When we lived in Zimbabwe, we had to buy petrol in large drums and ended up with dozens of metal drums,” said Debbie, who has always had a keen eye for art and is currently Young Arts Area Representative for Scotland and Northern Ireland.
“Local craftspeople took the drums and turned them into works of art. I loved them so had them sent over from Zimbabwe.”
Throughout the couple’s large family home there are numerous references to their travels, while the renovations and changes they’ve made have given it a lovely spacious feel, with a good flow between rooms making it perfect
for those, like them, who enjoy entertaining. But there are still numerous original features apart from the amazingly thick walls which are nearly two foot deep.
It’s a warm and welcoming home, with good-sized rooms, which have been designed and decorated to be restful and calming and to enhance the natural light that fills the house. Set over three floors, the property has five bedrooms and several ground-floor reception rooms, some of which have unique touches.
For example, the large garden room has a trompe l’oeil big-top interior and a cute, lifesize painting of a cat and mouse at floor level, while in one bedroom one wall has a trompe l’oeil reflecting the opposite side of the room, creating a sense of infinity, both created by well-known decorative artist Jonathan Humphrey.
The family took the decision to buy a home in the Highlands after being introduced to the area by friends and, while they initially weren’t instantly attracted to Inverness itself, it did grow on them, they loved the surrounding area. After spending two years searching for the perfect property, they called on the services of Phiddy Robertson, who now works for CKD Galbraith but who then ran a house search agency and worked with Channel 4’s Location, Location, Location.
She found Leanach Lodge and told them it was the ideal house for them. They flew back from Zimbabwe and, delighted with her find, bought the house.
“The decor was rather fussy, all swags and tails, and our daughters thought we’d made a mistake buying it, but we loved the house and views,” said Debbie.
“A survey highlighted damp which we were told would be around £1,000 to put right, but after buying the house and having a specialist look at it we were quoted £38,000, which turned out to be a conservative estimate. Every floor downstairs had to be lifted and replaced and it took a year before we could move in.”
Debbie used this time to enlist the help of architectural designer Jessica Wolff to extend and redesign the layout of the house, which includes several lovely rooms including the kitchen which is two linked rooms, one with an Aga, the other with more modern-style appliances and units, while the entire attic has been transformed into a spectacular bright enormous bedroom with en-suite luxury bathroom, all created by local craftsmen and suppliers .
The garden room is another favourite. “In the evening, the sunsets and the rays come through the room then bathe the viaduct in the most glorious colours. I often find myself just standing staring out the windows, reluctant to stop looking at it because it’s so beautiful.”
The house, which is on the market at offers over £950,000, sits in established gardens which extend to around 1.8acres and are laid mainly to lawn, fringed by magnificent mature specimen trees, rhododendrons and shrubs. The sale also includes approximately 20.9 acres of diverse woodland which has been carefully managed to create a wonderful amenity and a habitat for native wildlife and flora.
A challenging quad bike trail leads round the perimeter of the trees while a network of grassy paths cuts down to the banks of the River Nairn, on which the new owners will have around a half-mile stretch of fishing rights. Adding to the idyllic picture is the number of small sandy beaches along the river which would be perfect for summer picnics and sunbathing.
There are a further 19.5 acres of grazing land at Leanach, comprising one field which is currently let to a neighbouring farmer. The land is level and free-draining and would be ideal for equestrian use.
“Because there’s around 50 acres of land it feels like Leanach is a mini-Highland estate,” said Debbie. “There’s lots of land where if you want, you can farm, or perhaps keep horses, then there’s fishing and sporting opportunities. Despite them initially being reserved about the house, the girls loved spending time here and when they were at uni, they’d bring lots of their friends up to stay and they’d have great fun, either quad biking, fishing or just simply being outdoors.
“The other great advantage of Leanach House is that it’s within a few minutes’ drive of Inverness and a very short distance of the airport, so ideal for those who perhaps live elsewhere but are looking for a Highland holiday home.”
Phiddy Robertson, handling the sale for CKD Galbraith, said: “Inverness has some truly lovely properties on the market, but Leanach House is an absolute gem and a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of historic Scottish land with all the benefits of rural tranquillity but a lively city less than seven miles away.
“As well as the natural and man-made sights in the area, there is a wide range of amenities and entertainment available in Inverness, which has a strong Highland culture mixed with modern theatre and the arts. The immediate countryside also offers endless opportunities for sports and rural recreation in unspoilt surroundings.”
The family, who also own a home outside Harare, Zimbabwe, are now selling the house as, with daughters Claire and Shona having flown the nest, and Duncan’s busy work commitments, it makes sense to spend more time in Africa.
Contact: 01463 224343.