Where pigeons once nested there are now stunning skylights, while a Mediterranean-style courtyard has replaced a cow shed – welcome to Polston House.
This beautiful five-bedroom home in Maryculter has been a labour of love for Derek and Alison Tait, who started with nothing but a derelict farmhouse 15 years ago. Polston House has been home to them and their two children, 24-year-old Nikola, and Daniel, 25.
The family will be incredibly sad to leave and are now selling up for offers over £895,000. Derek and Alison plan to spend their retirement travelling with Isla, their adorable Labrador.
Nestled in the gorgeous countryside down a winding track, Derek, 67, had a vision for Polston, and the hard work has certainly paid off.
“When we first saw this place there was just a farmhouse – with no roof – that hadn’t been occupied since 1966. At first glance we just thought ‘no way’,” said Derek.
“Yet we found ourselves moving in with the pigeons and work began.
“We knocked down the farmhouse and started again. It wasn’t easy because we were raising a family here, but it has been worth it.”
Polston offers an entrance hall like no other with exposed stone and a gallery. There’s a great feeling of light and space along with plenty of character.
In one direction lies the family room, which leads onto an open-plan kitchen where a large wood-burning stove keeps the whole room warm throughout the winter.
The kitchen is every inch a farmhouse kitchen with a range cooker and beautifully fitted units. There’s also a larder, utility room and boot room, ensuring you’ll never be stuck for space.
The kitchen also leads into the garden room, a feature of which the Taits are particularly and rightly proud.
“We knew we wanted some sort of conservatory, but they’re always too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter, so we decided to use a mixture of skylights and exposed stone work,” said Derek.
It’s certainly a beautiful space which overlooks a gorgeous courtyard, where you could while away an afternoon with a good book in complete peace and quiet.
The hub of the house, however, has to be the large lounge, which is found at the other end of the hall and it’s where the family all comes together at Christmas.
Alison took charge of the design and wanted somewhere cosy that could accommodate everyone.
“I chose cream carpets which probably wasn’t a good idea with glasses of red wine.
“We’ve used oak flooring in other areas of the house, but I wanted a sense of warmth in here,” she said.
“We’ve got some lovely memories in here and, thanks to the wood burner, it’s great in winter.”
The house has a snug, which is currently in use as a library-come-office, while there’s also a dining room and handy downstairs toilet.
It’s the master bedroom upstairs which is perhaps the jewel in the crown and offers the tasteful luxury in-keeping with a country house.
Open plan with sloping ceilings, the Taits opted for something a bit more special than an en suite.
A free-standing bath can be found in one area whilst a large shower room is adjacent and perfect for a pamper evening.
The master bedroom also benefits from a separate dressing room.
“We love our master bedroom, it’s a little oasis and it’s been very much our space,” said Alison.
“We wanted something different, it’s a simple design but has made such a difference.”
All four further bedrooms have been beautifully decorated with twohaving en suite bathrooms while the family bathroom also boasts a sophisticated finish, with floor-to-ceiling windows and neutral colour tiles. It’s less modern geometrics and more boutique romance which has given Polston a lovely old-world charm.
Alison also takes great pride in the gorgeous gardens with the courtyard making the centre piece.
It wouldn’t look out of place on a Greek island with flowering vines and a secluded sitting area. Lawns and well-stocked flower beds run round the perimeter of the house and there’s also a double garage which has automatic doors.
Polston is only a stone’s throw from Oldman Woods which is thriving with wildlife including deer, stoats and owls.
“It’s idyllic here and the children adored growing up in the countryside; we always knew they were safe playing outside and there’s a very close-knit rural community,” said Alison.
“Our house was full of kids coming round to play and we’ve had the best of both worlds. I couldn’t think of a better place to raise a family.”
Maryculter is only six miles from Aberdeen and Cults and Peterculter are even closer.
Lairhillock Primary School and Cults Academy are both within the catchment area, with the school bus dropping off at the driveway.
“In one sense we’re so sad to leave because we’ve loved living here and have so many happy memories,” said Alison.
“There are few places where you can watch a stoat playing in the garden, but now our children have grown up we feel now is the right time to start a fresh adventure.
“We want to travel and would be happy knowing that a new family is here enjoying Polston just as much as we have.”
Contact Andersonbain Llp on 01224 626244.