Location

Bracken House enjoys a tranquil and idyllic setting above a picturesque loch on the edge of the Stirlingshire village of Strathblane.   Old Mugdock Road lies on the south side of Strathblane - a village surrounded by unspoilt countryside and set against the spectacular backdrop of the Campsie Fells. It is widely considered to be one of the most desirable places to live on the northern side of Glasgow. The setting is a peaceful, waterside retreat within only half an hour of the city centre, and also well placed for commuting to Stirling and Edinburgh. The village provides for most daily needs, with general stores, post office, GP surgery and chemist. There is an excellent primary school with adjacent playpark, and a highly regarded secondary school in nearby Balfron. Village facilities include two parish churches, a new library, two halls, a playing field, a cafe and the Kirkhouse Inn. Milngavie has a regular train service to Glasgow, and along with Bearsden offers a wide variety of shops, restaurants, fitness and sports facilities. The house is less than half a mile from Mugdock Country Park, which has a coffee shop, visitor centre, garden centre, playpark and footpaths within its beautiful grounds. There are many other excellent walks in the area, including the West Highland Way and the John Muir Trail which pass nearby. Two horse-riding centres and a number of golf courses are within easy reach, as is sailing at Bardowie Loch.

The city of Glasgow is renowned for its range of shopping opportunities and for its numerous cultural centres including excellent theatres, multi-screen cinemas and concert halls, as well as fashionable bars and restaurants, three universities and an international airport.

Description

Bracken House dates from 1962 and occupies one of the most enviable countryside positions within close proximity of Glasgow.

An extended and remodelled property, it now forms a striking five bedroom family home of over 5,000 square feet in all. Constructed of brick and stone under a slate roof, the elevated position of the property ensures stunning views across the beautiful landscaped gardens and beyond. One of the features of the property is the ample, generously proportioned windows, not only capitalising on the wonderful positioning but also ensuring high levels of natural light throughout. From entering the house via the entrance vestibule the property opens out to a generous hall with oak flooring and your eye is immediately drawn directly ahead, through the double doors to the countryside and views beyond. This continuation of light and outlook is no more evident than in the open plan kitchen and family room. The kitchen is fitted with integrated appliances and a range cooker with extractor above. A central island has generous storage beneath and an inset sink and draining area.

Beyond the kitchen there is a breakfasting table and a sitting area with a wood burning stove inset in the wall. The external walls on three sides have substantial windows with views across the landscaped gardens. and bi-folding doors leading to the terraces. As well as the expansive family area in the kitchen, the drawing room provides a more formal entertaining space with big windows looking over the reservoir to the Campsies and Dumgoyne. This room is accessed from the hall via glazed doors and has the comfort of a double-sided woodburning stove providing heat and character here and in the hall. For quieter periods of enjoyment in the house, the sitting room with its fine cabinetry and another woodburning stove provides a cosier hideaway. The property also benefits from a formal dining room, again with a wide window.
This level of the house is both neat and natural in flow as well as being perfectly practical. In addition to the kitchen and reception rooms there is a ground floor guest bedroom with an en-suite bathroom and in the eastern wing of the property there is also a separate utility room, cloakroom and a boot room with external access to help maintain the pristine presentation of this beautiful home.

The other bedrooms are on the first floor. The principal bedroom suite comprises a spacious double room, dual aspect windows, access to a western balcony as well as substantial built in storage and a en-suite bathroom with both a shower and bath as well as its own adjoining terrace and sliding doors. Another en-suite bedroom and two bedrooms and a family bathroom complete this floor alongside spacious storage cupboards.

Grounds and Gardens
Externally the property is again immaculately maintained. From entering via the electric security gates an impressive gravel driveway sweeps up between the gardens, ponds and mature trees, leading up towards the garage block on the right before approaching the house itself with a beautifully planted turning circle to the front. The gardens surrounding the property are simply stunning and awash with colour from the wisteria that drapes across the front of the property to the various rhododendrons, azaleas and acers all displaying spectacular seasonal colour. There is also an astroturf tennis court. Along the shores of the reservoir and surrounding the property there are a variety of mature trees providing both protection and privacy.

As one approaches the loch via the garden paths there is a large expanse of decking with a wooden balustrade that sits on top of the cliff edge. On the decking is a substantial timber BBQ house. This viewing platform provides a wonderful outdoor reception area and entertaining space as well as a peaceful private haven from which to enjoy the stunning surroundings.

From the decking a staircase leads down to the gravelled shore line where a path leads along the edge of the loch to a charming seating area. Underneath the decking there is sufficient space to store boats, kayaks, paddleboards and more for the enjoyment of the reservoir. There is also a wooden jetty for easy launching.

There is a substantially constructed garage for two cars, with electrically operated up-and-over doors, a workshop/store at the rear, a loft usable for storage, and solar PV panels on the roof. A wooden shed alongside is used for storing logs and garden tools.