The opening of the Kessock Bridge in 1982 became a bit of a game changer for more than one reason.
It not only cut down the amount of time it used to take travellers on the A9 to reach the Black Isle, but it did away with the need for a ferry to take cars across the Beauly Firth.
It also changed the face of the local property market.
Overnight, lots of communities on the Black Isle became within easy commuting distance of Inverness.
The result was a boom in housing, with lots of house-seekers moving to new housing developments which opened up.
Newton of Ferintosh, a rural community on the Black Isle, has the best of all worlds.
It is within easy commuting distance of Inverness, and very handily placed for Mulbuie, Conon Bridge and Dingwall, yet it has retained a quiet, rural atmosphere. It’s here in the picturesque location you will find a bungalow called Birchwood.
A beautifully appointed detached home, on the market at offers over £350,000, the property is set within generous, well-looked-after grounds, stretching to more than 1.85 acres.
Surrounded by trees and screened by a large area of woodland, it’s easy to imagine you are miles away from everyone.
Access to the bungalow is via an elegant, gated driveway which leads to the front of the house and provides ample parking for several vehicles.
The accommodation begins with a broad and welcoming hallway giving access to all the rooms, including a magnificent sitting room.
With its large picture window to the front and a further window to the side, the room is filled with natural light.
From here there are fine open views to be enjoyed along with glimpses of the Cromarty Firth in the distance.
While the big windows very much bring the outdoors in, the wood-burning stove provides a lovely glow and focal point.
The accommodation flows effortlessly, and on the other side of the hallway, a doorway leads to the front-facing dining room and into the generously proportioned, contemporary fitted kitchen, which comes with a good range of wall and base storage units, stainless steel sink, LED lighting, Rangemaster range and granite worktops.
The home has a luxurious family bathroom, which has a large Jacuzzi bath, shower, his and her circular wash-hand basins with vanity units below and a WC.
This is a perfect room to chill out and relax in after a hard day at the office.
There are three bedrooms, all of them double rooms, and the main bedroom comes with an impressive en suite shower room with walk-in shower and a distinctive glass wash-hand basin.
The master room also has a walk-in wardrobe offering plenty of storage space.
Last but by no means least is the utility room, which has good storage space, room for white goods and a handy WC/cloakroom.
From here, there’s direct access to an integral double garage, which has a workshop to the rear and attic space above.
Tastefully upgraded by the current owners, the bungalow provides flexible accommodation that would suit a number of buyers.
Contact: Strutt and Parker on 01463 723592.