Kilravock, 45 Findhorn, Forres, Moray, IV36 3YF

Property Summary

Incredible houses like this rarely come to market in Findhorn. In the same family for the last 40 years, Kilravock is a stunning, detached character home, on 3 floors, in the centre of Findhorn, with wonderful views out across Findhorn Bay and Culbin Forest. B listed, it was built in the early 18^th century possibly by the Rose family of Kilravock Castle for their sea captain. Steeped in history, the  lower portion of the house may originally have been used as an office and store possibly connected with the extensive commercial trading carried on out of Findhorn Harbour with the wide stone stair-case leading to comfortable family quarters with parlour windows looking seaward to keep an eye on shipping. It is extremely rare for an 18^th century merchants house to have survived with little alteration inside or out.

The innumerable original features, such as stone stairs, wood panelling, shutters, wide-panel wood floorboards and ancient beams inset to metre thick stone walls, many quite possibly 500 years old, make one feel as if they are stepping back in time into an incredible Merchants house.

Offering 4 bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, 2 bathrooms, a utility room, vestibule and cellar, Kilravock sits in an enviable position, in the centre of the village, just seconds from the shore and minutes from the cafes, pubs and shops. With a large, private garden and parking, this house would make an amazing family home or exclusive holiday home.

Accommodation

Entering through double wooden doors, with a brass knocker in the shape of an anchor, into the main hallway, providing access to all accommodation.  An impressive, wide, stone staircase curves to the 1^st floor.

Sitting Room (4.0m x 4.3m)

The feature stone, gable-end wall, with a thick wooden beam running the width of the room, makes this an impressive room. Dual aspect, with views of the hills across Findhorn Bay, this character sitting room has a wood burning stove inset to a large stone fireplace with stone. A deep alcove with wooden, half glazed doors provides a shelved display cabinet. Wood flooring.

Cellar (1.8m x 2.1m)

Accessed through a wooden door in the hallway, stone stairs lead down to the cellar.  With a stone floor and stone walls this could be a superb wine cellar, area for storing preserves, or general storage.  A window looking to the side of the house provides natural light.  Ancient wooden beams and the rough underside of the stone stairs are visible in the ceiling.

Utility Room (2.6m x 2.7m)

A spacious utility room with a tiled floor and ample modern, upper, and lower kitchen cupboards.  A single Belfast sink with taps is inset to the wooden countertop.  From the utility room window the white beaches of Culbin sands are clearly visible with the bay and yachts to the fore.  Wood panelling and shelves make this a comfortable space.  Space for a fridge freezer.  Oil combi boiler. Tile floor.

Bathroom (3.3m x 1.4m)

Reminiscent of a boat, this convenient downstairs bathroom offers a 3-piece coloured bathroom suite compromising WC, pedestal basin, and bath with mains shower above.  With wooden parquet flooring, this bathroom has been fitted out with handy nooks and crannies to store all the requisite bathroom needs.  A large window to the side of the house provides natural light and ventilation. Blinds.  Wood parquet flooring.

Dining Kitchen (4.1m x 4.0m)

An ample dining kitchen with two large windows, with deep windowsills, facing towards the private garden. An incredible feature stone wall, approximately 1m deep, with a solid fuel Rayburn to the side. Integrated double oven, hob and large extractor fan. Double sink with mixer tap sits beneath the window looking towards the side lane. Plumbed for washing machine and space for under counter fridge. Curtains and curtain poles. Tiled floor.

A wide, open wooden staircase curves from the kitchen to the master bedroom above. This was installed to enable the house to be divided, however potentially could be removed should a purchaser wish to reinstate the kitchen and bedroom above to their original areas.

Vestibule (1.9m x 1.4m)

With a stone floor, this convenient vestibule provides a handy space between the back garden and dining kitchen to leave outdoor shoes and coats.

From the main hall, an incredible, wide (1.3m), stone staircase, with carpet runner, leads to the first floor with a further wooden staircase leading to the second-floor upper floor.  The wood, panel window, set high into the deep, stone wall gives the impression of a castle stairway.

The long, first floor hall, is floored with the original, wide-panel, wooden floorboards.

Upper Sitting Room (4.3m x 4.1)

A truly magnificent room with deep cornicing, and superb wood panelling to all four walls.  Two wooden, sash-and-case windows, complete with operable wood shutters, provide wonderful views across Findhorn Bay towards Culbin Forest and Forres.  An impressive stone fireplace with wood surround on a slate hearth provides a stunning feature.  Shelved cupboards are concealed behind 2 sets of wooden doors in the panelling.  Carpet.  Curtains and curtain poles.

Bedroom 2 (2.7m x 2.8m)

A lovely double bedroom with a wooden sash-and-case window providing views over the bay. Sanded and varnished floors and a stone fireplace with wooden surround give this a peaceful ambience.

Family shower room (1.3m x 2.6m)

With a 2-piece white suite comprising scalloped pedestal basin and WC, the shower room continues with the same character of deep stone cornices. A shower enclosure sits adjacent to a window to the side of the house. Heated towel rail. Tower ring. Tile floor. Medicine cupboard. 2 wooden shelves.

Master Bedroom/Bedroom 1 (2.9m x 4.1m)

A substantial double bedroom with a beautiful cast iron fireplace with tiled surround, wooden mantlepiece and slate hearth. A deep, double, built-in wardrobe, with wooden doors, provides ample hanging and shelf space with a further wooden cupboard built into the original press cupboard. To the side of the fireplace an alcove provides a desk space with shelves above and cupboard below. Two windows, with cupboards beneath and working shutters, provide views over the private garden. Carpet. Originally a larger bedroom (4.2m x 4.2m) changes have been made to accommodate the stairs leading from the kitchen.

From the main hall, the wooden staircase curves towards the second floor with a convenient wardrobe space on the central landing. Upstairs there are two double bedrooms, one en-suite. Located in the coomb space of the house, these bedrooms would provide fantastic rooms for children or for occasional use.

Bedroom 3 (4.5m x 2.3m)

Bedroom 3 has a lovely feature sandstone wall to the gable end with a small ground level window providing beautiful views of the bay. A Velux window inset to the roof provides further stunning views. Clever use has been made of the coomb space with built in cupboards providing storage. A wooden desk has been constructed in the corner, perhaps making this an ideal study or office.

Bedroom 4 (4.1m x 2.7m)

A large Velux window providing beautiful views of Findhorn village itself and the bay. With wood panelling to the coombed ceilings and walls, this bedroom has a warm feel. A double built-in wardrobe provides a lower hanging rail, and shelf space has been built into the coomb space. Door to ensuite.

Ensuite (2.5m x 2.7m)

A convenient upper floor bathroom with a white 3 piece comprising WC, basin inset to a bathroom cabinet, and compact rectangular bath with seat, and shower attachment above. With ample shelving and cupboard space, the bathroom has a Velux window providing natural light and ventilation. Heated towel rail. Linoleum. A colourfully painted wooden door leads to a substantial storage room.

Storage room (2.0m x 0.5m)

A wooden lined ample storage room with a hanging rail attached to the ceiling. Carpet. Light.

Garden and Outbuildings

It is exceedingly unusual in Findhorn to have the luxury of such a large garden. With a substantial front and rear gardens separated by a stone wall and wooden fence, the gardens of Kilravock are truly a gem in the middle of Findhorn. To the front/side, the garden is laid primarily to lawn with mature shrubs and double wooden gates opening into the garden. Flocks of small birds fly between the feeders, shrubs and roof. The garden to the rear is secluded, with a fenced fruit and vegetable patch and a lovely private rear lawn area bounded with mature shrubs and trees. The garden provides an amazing space for sitting out in peace and quiet or for entertaining.

The outbuildings comprise substantial wooden shed, greenhouse, and stone coal shed. Double wooden driveway gates lead from the side lane to a concrete pad that formally housed a garage.

Shed (2.5m x 3.7m)

With a concrete floor and windows to two sides this shed/workshop has built in shelves and provides ample room for work surfaces, storage or to create into a fantastic studio space. Electricity light and breaker box.

Findhorn is possibly the most desirable village on the Moray Coast. With approximately 7 miles of  incredible white sand beaches, beautiful views towards the north of Scotland and a lovely, character village, it is a wonderful place for a long term residence or holiday. With cafes, pubs and shops in the village and a wonderful theatre just a few minutes away, Findhorn village has an incredible buzz. Inverness International Airport, offering daily flights to London and many other locations is approximately 30 minutes drive.

(Please note all measurements provided are approximate)