For a quarter of a century, the Paterson family have spent high days and holidays at their much-loved home in Speyside.
The Kennels, a detached two-storey granite house, is in Glenrinnes which is around four miles from Dufftown but more than 500 miles from their permanent home near Saffron Waldon in East Anglia.
But it’s a journey Ian, Anne and their two now grown-up children, have been willing to make for more than two decades because they simply love this part of the world.
Ian, now retired from a distinguished career in banking including being chief executive of Midland Bank, said: “I have Scottish ancestry and spent most of my schoolboy holidays in Scotland and Scotland is part of our heritage.
“The country and its environment and pursuits is something Anne and I are particularly fond.
“We are here several times a year for long periods.”
The Kennels nestles in an unspoilt part of the world and enjoys utter privacy and tranquility.
Accessed via a private, gated, hardcore drive, the south-facing cottage has a stunning outlook towards wooded and heather-clad hills including Ben Rinnes, some 840 metres above see level, as the backdrop.
To the north is the River Spey, one of the best fishing rivers in Scotland.
It’s not hard to see why Ian and Anne thought this the perfect place for a second home.
“We were familiar with Speyside having fished extensively on the Spey and Deveron, while the Moray coast was extremely attractive to us and our children,” said Ian.
“The house was formerly the gamekeeper’s cottage for the Glenrinnes Estate and when we first bought it, internally it was in pretty poor order, so we had it re-plumbed and re-wired using the services of excellent local contractors in Dufftown.
“We were extremely pleased with the quality of the work that was done locally and have continued, throughout the 25 years we have been here, to use local contractors when renewing.”
The house has been refurbished to a high standard, and has many charming features.
The accommodation includes a lovely open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting room which includes a granite inglenook over a wood-burning stove and a homely dining kitchen, all of which help create an inviting atmosphere.
Elsewhere on the ground floor there is a master bedroom with an en-suite shower room, and a stylish family bathroom with a cast-iron rolltop bath.
The cottage has a porch while the hall is ideal for storing coats and boots.
On the first floor, there are two further bedrooms with wardrobes and further extensive storage.
“What we’ve loved about owning this house is that it is so beautifully situated and has fantastic views of Glenrinnes.
“It is remote without being in any way cut off as it is very accessible and within easy reach of the excellent facilities found in Dufftown,” said Ian, 77.
“The peace and quiet of the location is extremely important to us and all our family and friends who holiday here,” said Ian, who previously served as a Royal Marine and soldiered with the Liverpool Scottish Regiment.
“The association between Liverpool Scottish and the Queen’s Own Highlanders has meant I’ve followed with close and affectionate interest the refurbishment and re-launching of the Highlander’s Museum at Fort George and was present at the opening when the Duke of Edinburgh opened it for us,” said Ian.
“I also have many Highland Regiment friends in these parts.”
Along with the house, the asking price of £230,000 includes an L-shaped traditional stone steading range with a slate roof.
The steading has potential for further development, subject to obtaining the necessary planning consents, and is currently divided into a workshop, bothy, garage, stable, drying room, store and two shepherd’s rooms.
Outside, sweeping lawns sheltered by woodland trees surround the cottage and there is an area of 1.3 aces of woodland in the south-east corner of the grounds which adds to the privacy.
One charming feature is an old granite cheese press to the rear of the property.
Not far away is the River Spey, one of Scotland’s premier rivers.
“The biggest fish I’ve caught here is an eight pounder,” said Ian.
As well as fishing, the area is renowned for its range of outdoor pursuits while high and low-ground shooting can be taken on local estates.
There is an abundance of hill walking, together with mountaineering in the Cairngorms and ski-ing at Aviemore and the Lecht as well as golf courses in the area including Dufftown, Rothes, Elgin and Spey Bay.
The area is also renowned for its malt-whisky distilleries and the cottage is well positioned for swift access to the unspoilt Moray coast.
“At my age and stage in life, it’s time to move on, but the house has given us great enjoyment for a long period of time but perhaps now it’s time to relinquish something we are very fond of,” said Ian.
“Along with the peace and quiet we’ve enjoyed here, we have enjoyed great friendships with a variety of people in and around these parts – people here are very hospitable.”
It’s a sentiment Anne shares.
“I have loved the peace and tranquility of the glen and the warmth and friendliness of the neighbourhood,” said Anne.
“I will cherish the memories of happy times spent here.”
The Kennels’ nearest town is Dufftown which has a good range of amenities including a bank, post office, A&E hospital, health centre and specialised grocery stores including a bakery and a butcher.
Primary education is also available in Dufftown with secondary education being provided at Speyside School in Aberlour. Private education is available at Gordonstoun.
Contact: Strutt and Parker on 01330 826000.