Location

This impressive property, originally a Church of Scotland manse, or mansion, sits in a favourable elevated position in Cullen, an attractive fishing village and former Royal Burgh on the North Sea coast on the A98, about 20 miles from Elgin. The surrounding landscape is much admired and is included in the North East 250 route. Cullen boasts a traditional harbour and a long stretch of sandy beach famous for the "Three Kings" rock feature and with excellent coastal walks to Sunnyside beach as well as the ruins of Findlater Castle. The beautiful waters surrounding the village make an excellent spot for swimming. Adjacent to the beach is the impressive Cullen golf course, designed by Tom Morris, along with club facilities and car parking. Dotted throughout the town are a range of interesting tea rooms, restaurants and hotels (Cullen Skink is a local delicacy) as well as antique and gift shops, a pharmacy, a medical centre and a small supermarket. Pre-school and primary education are available in the village, while secondary schools are located in the nearby town of Buckie, some six miles away, where there are also larger NHS facilities, banks, and supermarkets.

Description

With a southeast facing aspect, this two storey, symmetrically fronted, Georgian house has a prominent position within Cullen, a charming coastal village and former royal burgh in Moray/Banffshire, around 20 miles east of Elgin. It is associated with William Robertson, an Aberdeenshire architect who began his career in Cullen and was involved in the creation of the property dating back to 1830.

This impressive and generously sized home has a wonderful ambience and much character with many period features still in place. Of special note is the entrance with portico supported by fluted Greek Doric columns. Other original features include high ceilings, sanded and sealed floorboards, cornice work, panelled doors, chunky column radiators, original window shutters and fireplaces.   The accommodation begins with an entrance vestibule with coffered ceiling. A reception hallway has sanded and sealed floorboards. The elegant drawing room has twin aspect windows and a fireplace flanked by a press cupboard. Opposite is the spacious sitting room with fireplace featuring a log burning stove. An open archway links into the formal dining room. This room has a lovely side garden aspect and an impressive recessed dresser. A rear hallway with exposed stonework features gives access to a separate lounge, offering an informal space with open fireplace and doorway into the tranquil conservatory, which overlooks the sheltered and private garden. A ground floor bathroom has a three-piece white suite including WC, wash basin, corner shower enclosure and freestanding roll top bath with ornate claw feet. An under-stairs cupboard and study are also accessed from the inner hallway. The dining kitchen looks onto the garden and is fitted with a comprehensive range of base, drawer and wall units, along with integrated double oven, hob and refrigerator. A sizable boot room sits off the kitchen, while for everyday domestic tasks there is a utility room with a window at the sink and plumbing for a washing machine. Accessed via the utility area is a large insulated workshop, offering a very versatile space which would be ideal for a home business. A further outbuilding lies on the opposite side of a courtyard.

Ascending to the first floor is a half-turned staircase with ornate cast-iron spindles and balustrade. A large landing window provides an abundance of light to the landing. Two generous front facing bedrooms are separated by a central bedroom with door access to the principal bedroom, offering the potential for easy conversion to an en suite bathroom. At the rear are two bedrooms, both with sea and beach views. These rooms are serviced by the main bathroom with vintage three-piece suite and over bath shower.

A gravel covered horseshoe-shaped entrance is flanked by lawns and enclosed by a low-level wall along with hedging. There are mature trees, shrubs and rose beds. A high-level walled garden encloses the private and sheltered rear gardens. A hard standing concrete area leads to the two stone outbuildings. A pair of large gates opens to a lane adjoining a side street.