Built around 1850 for Captain Thomson, a seafaring man, and originally called Shanghai after his most frequent port of call, Forvie House is a magnificent category B listed detached Victorian house.
Set back from the road in walled grounds, it has a lovely spot in the heart of Newburgh, a charming village that sits on the edge of the Ythan Estuary and the Forvie Nature Reserve.
For several years it lay depleted and unloved – until 20 years ago when Ian and Linda McFarlane decided to make it their family home.
The couple breathed new life into the historic house at 31 Main Street and have made it into a beautiful family home that they should be very proud of.
Linda, mum to Hayley and Lewis, said the family were living in University Avenue when they decided they wanted to find a more rural location.
“Ian was also looking for a project so there were a number of boxes that needed to be ticked,” she said.
“Hayley was only one when we moved here and Lewis was four and just about to start school. At the time, the city schools had around 30 children to a class so we wanted a village school that would have less.
“We didn’t really know much about Newburgh. We found the house first and then when we came to visit it, we went down to the beach first, and we just loved it.”
The house itself was not in a great condition and they were told by the solicitor that all it needed was a bit of “TLC” but Ian was ready for the work.
“Originally we had a five-year plan for the house, which turned into a 10-year plan and eventually a 15-year plan, pretty much everything ended up needing doing to it,” Ian said.
Although Ian enjoyed getting involved, it did mean some hardships for the family.
Linda said: “We had to move in and the house didn’t even have a kitchen. We just lived out of what is now the music room. I remember being in there with the baby and sterilising bottles, it was hard work. I remember thinking at the time, God what have we done?”
The house had to be completely restored inside and out. With a B-listed category, the couple had to ensure everything fitted its original period.
But restoring it to what it would have originally looked like was already part of Ian and Linda’s plan, being fans of period properties.
“I think the people that had it before us were just overwhelmed by this house, it was a lot of work. We just basically took it back to what it would have looked like originally,” Linda said.
From the moment you walk up the driveway to the grand front door, you feel like you have been transported to a more elegant period in time.
Inside each room has been beautifully decorated to complement the great original features that take centre stage in each room – including cornicing and grand fireplaces.
Rooms of note include the cosy living room with a beautiful large fireplace, elegant dining room, six bedrooms – which are a mix of traditional and modern styles – and a modern family bathroom complete with bath and shower.
All the rooms have large windows with great views of the surrounding area. One of the most pleasant and surprising aspects I found as I walked around the house was how quiet and remote it feels – despite being in the heart of a village and not far from a main road.
It’s the best of both worlds really – the remoteness of a rural country house but close to local amenities. No wonder Ian and Linda thought it was a great place to raise their children.
Outside, the house – on the market for offers over £600,000 – is surrounded by nearly 0.35acres of grounds and three garages.
I definitely have my favourite parts of the house, but what about Linda and Ian?
“I think my favourite is the living room,” Linda said.
“We usually have a big Christmas tree in here so whenever I feel down, I just come and sit in here.
“It’s also filled with great memories; the kids going to their prom for example.”
“I like the former first-floor lounge,” Ian added.
“At some point it was one big room but someone had put a partition up and used it as two. We decided to take it back to what it would have looked like.
“I like the fact that the room has two doors; I think the maid would have used one to put the food and drinks on to the sideboard and the family would have used the other. The maid wouldn’t have been allowed to go into the main part of the room.”
The location of the house is also something that the family has grown to love; Newburgh is a delightful village with plenty to offer, from community groups including Brownies and dance groups to the nearby golf course and beach.
Newburgh Primary School is just around the corner and Ellon Academy – soon to be replaced with brand new facilities – is not too far away either.
So why have they decided to leave?
“An old house is never going to be finished. There is always something you could do to it and we just thought we couldn’t face doing more work really,” Linda said.
“The house is ready to move into now, the only thing someone would have to do is change the decor if it’s not to their taste.
“We’ve been here for 20 years and our son and daughter have now moved out. It’s time we did something for ourselves. We’ve already found a place out near New Pitsligo which is much more rural.
“It’s really where we would have wanted to stay 20 years ago but because we had kids, we weren’t able to. We would have spent all our time taking them places.
“I’ll definitely miss the house, we’ve had 20 happy years here and lots of great memories with the kids.”
“It is quite sad leaving the place now it is back to its former glory,” Ian added.
“I just get a buzz out of older properties. When we were taking off the original door handles to fix the doors, I remember thinking that it was quite exciting that I was the first person to take them off since they were put on in the 1800s.
“I think I will miss the history and the craftsmanship the most. I have an eye for detail so when I started looking at the house, you realise just how much work and effort has gone into absolutely everything in this house. It’s been a privilege to live here.”
Contact: Simpson & Marwick on 01224 628893.