Prepare to fall head over heels for Dun-A-Cluach in Longside
For many people, a house is just the place where they live and nothing more. But for others, there can be a much stronger attachment, especially for those who have spent their time and money breathing new life into it.
“To me, the house feels like part of me. We have been the custodians for 20 years,” John Pascoe told me as we sat in the living room of his home, Dun-A-Cluach, Inn Brae, Longside, near Peterhead.
For almost two decades John and wife Isy have been working tirelessly to completely renovate this C-listed Georgian former manse, which was built in 1825.
The couple had been living with their three children in Ellon when they heard about the house being up for sale through Isy’s employers at the time who were developing some land around it. John said they thought they would just go have a look.
“As soon as we walked through the door we wanted it, we just fell in love with it,” the 53-year-old chartered quantity surveyor said.
“It hadn’t been altered, it still had all its original features, the cornicing, shutters, fireplaces and door frames. We really liked all that.”
The couple thought that they would be able to just move into the house and it wouldn’t need any work done. But what eventually happened couldn’t have been further from what they originally thought.
“Everything needed done in the end,” Isy, 59, who is a full-time house wife, said.
“There was no heating – that was the worst – it needed rewiring, there was no kitchen, the list went on and on. The basement was flooded because of burst pipes as well. Our kids thought we were absolutely mad to be moving here.
“We did the work gradually as we could afford it. It was supposed to be a 10 year project but we still find ourselves doing odd jobs here and there. It’ll probably be finished just as we hand over the keys.”
Looking at the house now it’s amazing to think that it was ever in the kind of condition where every room was in a dire need of some TLC. The six bedroom home will put a smile on your face the moment you turn on to the private driveway – that’s what happened when I visited.
The sun was shining and the house looked so magical with its quaint porch creating a great first impression. The inside was equally impressive and after being in the house for less than an hour, I could totally understand why John and Isy fell for the place – I had fallen in love with it too.
Each room has been beautifully restored and brought to life with an eclectic mix of furniture and decorative items. The couple’s character shines out from these lovely little objects from an antique apothecary’s cabinet in the downstairs bathroom to a restored chaise longe – brought back to life by Isy herself – in the bedroom.
There are so many delightful rooms – which are all flooded with light and the natural decor making it seem even more bright and airy – that I really couldn’t choose my favourite. For John and Isy, the staircase from the beginning has been a favourite of theirs.
“It is an impressive piece of craftsmanship,” John added.
And he is right. The curved staircase with a little window letting the light in half way up definitely draws your eye to it as you enter the house. Other features such as the original door frames and the quirky layout leading to the downstairs bathroom also make it on to their list.
The Pascoes have put a lot of work into making Dun-A-Cluach as impressive as it is but there are still plenty of opportunities for those looking for a project to get their hands dirty.
At one point the couple had looked into doing something with their basement – a huge space measuring 90sqm. They have yet to take on that project meaning someone else could put their own stamp on it. It could make someone even more accommodation – on the already spacious home – or even a self contained flat for family members or as rental accommodation.
For offers over £450,000, this stunning period home could be yours. It’s a chance to live in a lovely historic home with bundles of character in a village that is equally charming. Isy and John have become big fans of Longside, so much so that after deciding to downsize, they have bought a cottage in the village.
It is another project – clearly not put off by the scale of this one – but this time they will be going down a more modern road with their designs and decorating. It’s with sweet sorrow that they leave Dun-A-Cluach though – a house that as John said, has become a part of them.
“I just adore this house. When I am out in the garden on a sunny day I just think what a great place this is,” Isy added.
Contact: Stewart & Watson on 01771 622338.