You’d be hard pushed to find a couple more well suited to each other than Carole and Bruce Luffman, who have been married for more than 40 years.
They dance around in each other with their eccentricities, gently mocking and finishing each other’s stories.
Bruce, a former dairy farmer and councillor, isn’t afraid of causing offence with his blunt teasing manner whilst Carole, an artist, chooses her words carefully and loves nothing more than welcoming people to the family home.
She opens the door to Auld Cummerton wearing a long stylish denim dress, and immediately offers home-made Elderflower.
Playing hostess is engrained in Carole’s nature, for the stunning five bedroom home has welcomed B&B guests from around the world.
The couple’s previous home was also run as a B&B.
Carole’s meticulous attention to detail means Auld Cummerton has not just been a business but a home lavished with love – an extension of the memories weaved throughout her marriage to Bruce.
Set in the rolling countryside of Bellabeg near Strathdon, it’s easy to see why Carole and Bruce settled on the spot – with uninterrupted views of patchwork hills.
A spot was really all the couple had to go on, having built Auld Cummerton from the ground up in just under a year.
Their very own grand design is a remarkable sight, but its inception derived quite by chance.
“We built Auld Cummerton in 2003, but I actually came across the spot when I was looking at some land for a client,” said Bruce.
“I remember peering through the trees and seeing this ruin of a wall, so I tramped through the nettles to take a closer look.
“As soon as I saw the view, that was it.”
Bruce had unwittingly stumbled across the ruins of Auld Cummerton farm house which dates back 1760.
“We worked constantly for nine months and then we were open and taking bookings,” said Bruce.
“We wanted it to be even better than our old house, and worked our way into the top 12 B&B’s in Scotland, despite the fact that we were only open April until October.”
Bruce and Carole welcomed many visitors researching their clan history in the area, and they will never forget the knock on the door which came three years after Auld Cummerton opened.
“There was an old lady stood at the door and she started crying,” said Carole.
“She was very emotional and it turned out she used to live in the house before it became a ruin.
“She grew up there before the place was condemned in 1948, and she just couldn’t believe it had been rebuilt.
“We found out that in the 1920’s, the house had even been run with letting rooms and it was famous for its roses.
“It was so strange because I planted roses upon our arrival, she was so happy to see everything rejuvenated.”
Carole also adores cooking, and the heart of Auld Cummerton is the beautiful kitchen diner.
With Caithness Flagstone flooring and an Alpha range which can be used for cooking, the underfloor heating, water and radiators – this room is perfect for big family get together’s.
Also on the ground floor is a formal lounge complete with wood burning stove whilst a family snug can be found to the rear of the house.
This could easily be turned into a bedroom.
Adjacent to this room is the cloakroom which has been fitted with the plumbing for a bath, and could therefore be turned into a guest bathroom.
A wide staircase leads to the second floor.
There are two equally spacious double bedrooms, both of which offer beautiful views.
They also boast built in wardrobes and luxurious en-suite shower rooms. The master bedroom lies to the rear of the property, overlooking the side garden and woodlands.
This is a superb double bedroom with triple wardrobes and the ensuite has both a roll-top bath and separate shower cubicle.
The house has been beautifully maintained and Carole has filled it with carefully chosen antiques.
Perhaps its crowning glory however, is the gorgeous tower extension which was added in 2006.
“When my mother first saw Auld Cummerton she was just blown away and desperate to come and live here in her old age,” said Carole.
“We designed the tower so it would be in keeping with the rest of the house, and mum would still be able to have some independence.”
“She was so happy here in her old age.
“She was an artist and I’ll never forget when she complained because the walls were circular, and she wouldn’t be able to hang her art up.
“She loved painting in the summer house and she had many friends in the community as well.”
The tower offers a bedroom, bathroom, and open plan kitchen come dining area.
It’s no surprise that the grounds of Auld Cummerton are particularly beautiful, with 2.5 acres of land.
The mature woodland surrounding the house is a haven for wildlife, and there is a tiered garden which is south facing.
There is also a wooden chalet in an elevated position alongside two wooden sheds, a wood store and a car port for 2 cars.
“We love the garden and particularly the wildlife it attracts,” said Carole.
“We welcome a return nesting oyster catcher every year, who settles in the garden to have her young.
“We adore the seclusion here as have our guests, and we have the most amazing memories.
The community has been wonderful and there’s always something going on.
“We are preying that the right people will come along for this place.
“We’re downsizing and starting on our final project, renovating a cottage.
“There are moments when I stand in the garden and realise just how terribly hard it will be to leave.
“We would rather go now when we still have our health, we have found so much happiness here.”
Offers should be made in the region of more than £460,000.
Contact Galbraith on 01224 860 71o.