Location

The Manse is beautifully situated in Glenesk, close to the Cairngorms National Park. I.A.N. Henderson in Discovering Angus and the Mearns (1990) describes Glenesk as “the most beautiful glen in Angus.” He continues that it “is the most easterly . . . of all Angus glens. There is no through road . . . it is a winding route that runs for fourteen miles along the line of the North Esk to Tarfside village, then a further four miles to Loch Lee.” He also describes how “at the start of the glen the river forms the boundary between Kincardine and Angus but Glen Esk is an Angus Glen . . . Its beauty lies in its variety of scene. Rocky ravine and white water torrent at the start give way to flat meadow land and a rippling stream halfway up before returning to chasm and cleft and dark, turbid pool at the top. All the glories of Lowland and Highland are encapsulated in Glen Esk. You need go no further.” The landscape is spectacular, and the glen runs deep into the Grampian Mountains with no through road, helping to preserve its wild and unspoilt character. It is an area that is renowned for its rich flora and fauna and is flanked by magnificent hills including Bulg (605m) and Hill of Wirren (677m) which lie to the south. At the top are Glen Lee, and Glen Mark which stretches towards Mount Keen (938m). The upper parts of the glen lie within the Cairngorms National Park. The River North Esk flows into the sea just to the south of St Cyrus beach, which is a nature reserve. The Glenesk Retreat & Folk Museum is just half a mile away, and includes a café and nature trail. The area is ideally suited for those who wish to enjoy the range of outdoor pursuits offered in Angus. Fishing can be taken on the nearby North and South Esks or indeed on the West Water. The Angus glens offer some of the best hill walking in eastern Scotland. From Edzell the scenic Cairn o’Mount route gives easy access to Deeside. As well as St Cyrus there is a fabulous sandy beach at Lunan Bay.    The town of Brechin provides a range of shopping, leisure and business facilities, together with secondary schooling. Further afield, more extensive shopping and business services are found in Forfar, the county town, and in Montrose. Both Forfar and Brechin have leisure centres. The attractive and popular village of Edzell lies at the foot of Glenesk. It has a primary school, as well as local shopping including a butcher, post office, coffee shops, chemist and health centre, together with a country club within the Glenesk Hotel, and a renowned 18 hole golf course, along with a 9 hole course and driving range. There is a further local golf course at Brechin together with the championship course at Carnoustie.   The A90 links Aberdeen with Dundee and Perth. Both Aberdeen and Dundee are accessible and offer all the services expected of major cities. Dundee is renowned for its cultural facilities including the V&A museum. There are railway stations at Montrose and Laurencekirk on the east coast mainline with regular services to Aberdeen and the south, including a sleeper to London. Aberdeen Airport provides a range of domestic and European flights and is easily reached by the Western Peripheral Route. There is a direct service to Heathrow from Dundee Airport.

Description

The Manse is beautifully situated within Glenesk, midway between the Retreat & Folk Museum and the village of Tarfside. A former Free Church manse, it was acquired by the sellers’ family in the 1980s and has been used as a wonderful holiday house but could equally become a delightful permanent family home. An attractive, stone built house with a slate roof, it faces south with glorious views over its own garden, the River North Esk and onto the hills. It also enjoys views up and down the glen. With a number of estates locally, it is one of the few houses in the glen which are privately owned. While it has been used as a holiday home it has been well maintained and is nicely presented, yet retains much of its original character. It is a house of great charm with a stunning yet accessible position, is fully double glazed and has grounds of some 1.2 acres which run down to the river.

A gate from the drive opens into the enclosed garden, with parking in front and to the side of the house. A lovely sun room, designed to make the most of its position and views, has a wood burning stone, tiled floor and two wall lights, while an inner hallway has a staircase to the first floor, and a shelved cupboard. Off this is a sitting room with cornice and picture rail, together with a warming wood burning stove and a shelved press. The dining kitchen has fitted units with wooden worktops with a Bosch dishwasher, sink, Lamona oven and microwave, two oven AGA, AEG fridge, side entrance door and ample space for dining. A useful wash room/boot room has two Belfast sinks, shelved cupboards, Bosch washing machine and dryer, and a Siemens fridge/freezer. Bedroom 1 has a fireplace with wood burning stove, while the shower room has a wash basin, WC and under stair cupboard. Upstairs are four further bedrooms, with bedrooms 2 and 5 each having a wardrobe, and there is a part panelled bathroom with bath, wash basin and WC.

Attached to the side of the house is a store with a part cobbled floor, loft storage and an oil tank. There is considerable potential to extend the house into the outbuilding, subject to any planning consents. The garden is mainly lawn, and runs down towards the river, and has mature trees to the side giving privacy and shelter.

Directions

From the north on the A90 take the turning at Northwaterbridge (on the county boundary between Aberdeenshire/Kincardineshire and Angus), some 4 miles south of Laurencekirk and signposted Edzell Woods and Edzell. Follow the Edzell road for 4.4 miles and turn left onto the B966, signposted to Edzell. Take the next turning on the right signposted Tarfside, Invermark and Glenesk. Continue on this road for approximately 10 miles, passing the Glenesk Folk Museum. After a further 0.5 miles the turning into The Manse will be seen on the left.    If coming from the south on the A90, just to the north of Brechin, take the B966 signposted for Edzell. Proceed through Edzell, continuing on the B966, crossing the Gannochy Bridge over the River North Esk and then take the turning on the left signposted Tarfside and continue as above.

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Distances – Tarfside 0.5 miles, Edzell 11.5 miles, Brechin 17 miles, Dundee 44 miles, Aberdeen 47 miles