Old Manse Croft, Drumoak, Banchory, AB31 5AT

Old Manse Croft offers an incredible opportunity to purchase a secluded riverside property, complemented by traditional byres and over 20 acres of land.

Located directly on the boundary of the County of Aberdeenshire and the City of Aberdeen, Old Manse Croft enjoys a rural and picturesque aspect yet an entirely accessible setting in an affluent and well regarded area of Northeast Scotland.

Close to the village of Drumoak (2 miles) and satellite town of Peterculter (4 miles) the property is within easy reach of a wide range of local services and amenities. In addition to these services, Aberdeen City is within 12 miles of Old Manse Croft and provides retail, leisure and recreational facilities in the acknowledged Oil (and transitioning to Energy) Capital of Europe. Aberdeen International Airport is located just north of the city (c. 21 minute commute from the house) and is also the location of P & J Live, the largest event complex in the North of Scotland.

In terms of education, Old Manse Croft benefits from being in the catchment for Banchory Academy. There are also private schools in Aberdeen, namely Robert Gordons College, Albyn School, St. Margarets and further afield Gordonstoun near Elgin in Morayshire.

The Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route (AWPR) has greatly improved access and travelling time throughout the area and beyond, making travel to Dundee or Edinburgh very achievable. A short 12 minute drive will get you onto the AWPR and on route to your next destination.

There are a wealth of recreational and leisure opportunities to be found nearby and in wider Aberdeenshire including hillwalking, shooting/stalking, skiing at The Lecht, water sports, scenic coastal trails, exploration of the Cairngorms National Park and the Castle and Whisky trails.

Situated a short stroll from the River Dee, Old Manse Croft is the idyllic location for any keen angler or sportsperson who wishes to literally be courtside to some of the best salmon fishing in the Country. With the Upper Drum and Lower Durris Beat located in front of the house, there are opportunities to purchase fishing and enjoy countless hours on the River.

In addition to this wide offering, for the golf enthusiast there are a collection of well known and respected courses nearby, namely Menie & Royal Aberdeen, Trump International Golf Links, the Paul Lawrie Golf Centre, and further courses as you travel into Royal Deeside.

If historic trips are of more interest, Royal Deeside and the surrounding countryside provides ample opportunity for exploration. Crathes Castle and Drum Castle Garden & Estate are both within a short drive, slightly further into Deeside you will find the towns of Ballater and Braemar and the summer home of the Royal Family at Balmoral.

Old Manse Croft

A floor plan is provided at the rear of the brochure, however Old Manse Croft can be summarised as follows:

Ground Floor

Entrance hall / downstairs bathroom / double bedroom / sitting room / conservatory / kitchen / utility room

First Floor

Two double bedrooms / ensuite / dressing room / balcony

Overview

There are a choice of entry points into Old Manse Croft, with options to head straight into the house via the welcoming entrance hall, or opt to enter via the utility room to peel off muddy boots and wash up. There is also the option to take access from the garden via the conservatory into the kitchen, especially lovely when finishing a morning riverside walk.

Upon entering the property on the ground floor you will find a spacious bathroom with toilet, shower, and spacious corner bath. There is a large double bedroom opposite the sitting room with views down to the river.

The kitchen, sitting room and conservatory are all linked with a sizeable wood burning stove located centrally to heat the open living space.

A pine staircase with carpeted floor leads upstairs where there are two spacious bedrooms, the master room complimented by a walk in dressing room and balcony with stunning views out over the tennis court to the fields beyond and River Dee below. The upstairs bathroom has jack and jill doors, accessible from the second bedroom but also the landing for use by the master bedroom.

Property Details

EPC:

Band F

Internal Floorspace:

164sqm

Windows & Doors:

Double glazed

Council Tax:

Band E

Heating:

Oil Boiler and Radiators

Services:

Water: Private Supply Electricity: Mains Sewage: Septic tank

Land

The total area of land at Old Manse Croft extends to 24 acres or thereby. The soils are part of the Podzols major soil group, and are formed by the Humus-iron podzols subgroup. The land is classified as Grade 3.2 per the Land Capability for Agriculture (partial cover) maps from the James Hutton Institute.

The ground is currently utilised as grazing for horses and has been set out to accommodate this with paddocks and shelters on site.

There are multiple opportunities to maximise the land here, with tree planting, complimenting the existing mixed species shelter belts, and small scale wilding projects entirely possible. Equally, given the acreage there is a real opportunity here to create a desirable smallholding and raise various livestock or animals if desired.

Garden

The garden at Old Manse Croft provides ample space for relaxation, with a large area of mown grassland and various mature fruit trees blossoming throughout the summer. There is a large area to the side of the house which provides a perfect opportunity to create a small walled garden and grow a range of vegetables for use. Given the grassland in place at present, any purchaser is only limited by their imagination and time in creating a gardening retreat!

Sporting

Fishing rights are owned by another party, permits can be sought from the Upper Drum and Lower Durris owners or via FishPal if there are available rods.

It is understood that the other sporting rights are to be sold with the property where owned.

Buildings

Buildings at Old Manse Croft comprise a variety of traditional steadings and byres that provide a multitude of potential uses for an interested purchaser.

Currently the steadings are used for storage purposes, a snooker hall, and as a livery / tack room, however alternative uses of the buildings can be explored with the local authority and Historic Environment Scotland. The 18th century bothy and former offices to the rear of the dwelling are category C-Listed (HES ref: LB3083 Old Manse Croft Dalmaik Outbuildings).

Viewing

Contact Mrs Reid on 07771 360 287 or Aberdeen & Northern Estates on 01467 623800.

Note:

Prospective purchasers should note that unless their interest in the property is formally intimated to the selling agents following inspection, the agents cannot guarantee that notice of a closing date for offers will be advised and consequently the property may be sold without notice.