Location

House of Aquahorthies is situated in a peaceful location on the foot slopes of Bennachie, just outside the small hamlet of Burnhervie, approximately (20 miles) northwest of Aberdeen. Inverurie is the nearest main town, (4 miles) away.

Inverurie is a vibrant market town with a railway station, several supermarkets (including a Marks & Spencer), a library and retail park Sporting facilities include tennis, cricket, 18 hole golf course, fishing on the rivers Don and Urie, mountain biking and hill walking. The nearest primary school is Kellands Primary and secondary education is at Inverurie Academy.

Aberdeen lies approximately (20 miles) away, with the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route providing improved travel in and around Aberdeen and a quicker and more direct route south to Dundee. The international airport offers regular flights to London and other UK and European cities. There are regular train services from Aberdeen, including a sleeper to King's Cross, London. Aberdeen provides all the services of a major city, including business, leisure and health facilities, theatres and cinemas, restaurants and a wide range of shopping. There is private schooling including Robert Gordon's School, St Margaret's and Albyn School as well as the International School at Pitfodels. There are two universities and two colleges of further education.

Inverurie (4 miles)
Aberdeen Airport (16 miles)
Aberdeen (20 miles)

All distances and journey times are approximate.

Description

House of Aquahorthies is a superb A Listed detached mansion house in a prime location with cottages, walled garden, paddocks, loch and boathouse. This is a rare opportunity to acquire a very fine country house that has been in the same family for some 50 years. The house is constructed of pink granite under a slate roof and has been refurbished and well maintained over the years. Features include ornate mantlepieces, lovely natural light, pitch pine panelling, ornate shelved cupboards and beamed ceilings which all add to the considerable character of the house. Although substantial, the house also has the comfortable feel of a manageable family home. There are two additional properties included in the sale: The Stables and Gardener's Cottage. There is also a B Listed quadrangle of traditional outbuildings including a two storey former mill. Additionally there is a former cattle court. The house has an idyllic south-facing location with a walled garden and beautiful loch with boathouse and jetty to the rear.   The property is surrounded by good quality arable ground, woodland and rough ground to the west, north and east providing excellent screening and privacy.

The imposing house was built between 1797 and 1799 and served as the only Roman Catholic seminary in Scotland from 1799 until 1829 when it transferred to Blairs College, Maryculter. The property was then remodelled and has been a private home ever since.

House of Aquahorthies:
The house is approached off a private shared drive which divides through stone entrance pillars onto a private drive which leads to a gravel area beside the front door.

The front door leads into a hallway off which are doors to the dining room and library. The latter is lined by bookcases and enjoys a dual aspect, as do most of the rooms in the house. From the library, there is access to the sitting room which has a door to the garden and bay window seat. The dining room, which sits to the left of the front door, leads on to the kitchen which has an AGA and utility area.

There are two staircases in the house: the main staircase leads from the reception hall to the first floor landing. To the right is the drawing room, an elegant room with an open fireplace, whilst to the left is the principal bedroom suite with a dressing room and luxury bathroom with roll-top bath and shower. The main guest suite is adjacent to the back stairs.

On the second floor are five double bedrooms and two bathrooms. The stairs lead to the attic floor which is home to bedroom eight and its en suite, plus a playroom with bedroom 9 beyond.

Beside the house is a two storey stone and slate bothy, originally the cook's house, which provides useful overspill accommodation with a bedroom (5.8m x 3.5m ), sitting room (3.8m x 3.5m), shower room and   kitchenette.

Gardener's Cottage:
A short distance to the north of the main house is the Gardener's Cottage, built of concrete panels under a tile roof in the 1950s. Accommodation is in good order and comprises a sitting room, kitchen, two bedrooms and a bathroom. The property is part double glazed and is available with vacant possession.

The Stables:
B Listed and converted in 2007, the accommodation is on two levels and provides very comfortable semi open plan accommodation with windows and French doors to the walled garden. The building is constructed of granite under a slate roof. The front door leads to a large hallway with openings to the sitting room and dining kitchen. The kitchen has a range of white units with a large wooden island. There is a range cooker and a door to a balcony which overlooks the walled garden. The adjacent utility room has a back door to the parking area.   The sitting room also has a glazed door to a balcony and an ornate fireplace over a wood burning stove makes for a fine focal point.

On the first floor there is a principal bedroom with en suite bathroom and a separate shower. There are two further double bedrooms and a family bathroom. The Stables is subject to a Private Residential Tenancy.

Farm Buildings:
B Listed range of traditional farm buildings with considerable potential for conversion into residential use. The buildings include a two storey former mill (20.3m x 5.5m) with a loft over part. The buildings are arranged in a quadrangle around a central courtyard. The old mill still includes the former threshing mill equipment.
North wing 49m x 4.6m
South wing 65m x 4.7m

Plans have been previously prepared by a local architect to convert the buildings and planning was granted for six dwellings and two holiday lets, although this planning permission has now lapsed. Alternatively, a buyer could prepare plans for a single house or simply retain the buildings for general storage.

Cattle Court:
A steel framed building (15.9 m x 29 m approx.) with concrete block walls, corrugated roof, together with a Dutch Barn (8.9m x 29m approx.). Now expired there was previously planning for 2 houses on the site.

Grounds:
House of Aquahorthies is in a spectacular, south-facing location at the foot of Bennachie. The property is surrounded by gardens, good quality arable ground, woodland and rough ground which provide excellent screening and privacy. Mature broadleaf trees frame the outlook from the house down the Don Valley with many 200 year old beech trees. In front of the house is a large lawn which is a wonderful outlook from the house.

Walled Garden:
To the east of the Stables House is the walled garden. The garden was further developed during 2020-21 and provides a fantastic sheltered and secluded place. Most of the garden is laid to lawn and there are fruit trees and herbaceous borders. A small area of the Walled Garden currently forms part of The Stables lease.

Loch:
Beautiful ornamental loch with a boathouse (5.9m x 4.6m) and jetty. Fantastic amenity with a small central island. There is also a smaller loch which feeds the larger loch.   

Grazing:
The grazing is currently let to two farmers.

Directions

Take the A96 to Inverurie, at the Blackhall roundabout, take the turning for Burnhervie. Follow signs for Burnhervie. In Burnhervie bear right, signpost of Chapel of Garioch, and after a short distance passing some houses turn right onto the drive signposted Mains of Aquahorthies. The private drive to House of Aquorthies will be seen on the right.

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