Douglas Boynton wasn’t even looking at property in the area when he stumbled upon what was to become his family’s home for the next 25 years.
Driving to Huntly from Inverurie, he found himself on the road to Mill of Blackford after becoming slightly lost. Trying to find his way, he became stuck behind a bin lorry when he spotted a for sale sign.
Douglas and his wife Christine, who are both in their 60s, moved to the north-east from central Birmingham in December 1990.
Both keen gardeners, the now retired couple spend a lot of time in their horseshoe-shaped yard.
“I moved here to take a post with Grampian Regional Council,” said Douglas.
“We were looking for property in the countryside that would provide space for us to bring up the kids. We were both brought up in the country.
“When we went to see the house, we knew it was the one for us, partly because of the property, but mostly because of the garden.
“There’s about two acres of land around the house and the setting is extremely attractive.
“It was the football pitch when the kids were at home but we’ve reverted back to having flower beds now.”
As the property’s name suggests, it was once the old mill for the Blackford estate. The old farmhouse, which sits just outside of Rothienorman, is believed to have been around since the 1840s.
Retaining much of its original character and traditional features, the four-bedroom home is on the market for offers over £345,000.
The rooms in the home are well-proportioned and include a delightful family room with fireplace and wood-burning stove, and a formal lounge with an open coal fire.
Douglas and Christine, who have been married for 36 years and are parents to Matthew, 34, Alistair, 32, and Daniel, 27, particularly enjoy spending time in these rooms.
“We have two sitting rooms,” said Douglas.
“The room we use mostly in the winter has an open fire and it’s painted a nice dark red and has comfy leather chairs.
“We tend to use that room when it gets colder and we sit, light the fire and toast away.
“The views from the windows all around the house are pretty good and there’s a fair amount of wildlife including a red squirrel who visits.”
The Boyntons have put a lot of work into making the most of the space the building offers.
“It was a three-bedroom home when we moved and it hadn’t been modernised at all since the 1930s,” said George.
“In 1992, we extended and built another bedroom.
“We also put in a new kitchen and two more modern bathrooms.
“It’s turned out very well and we’ll be sorry to leave the place.”
Now that their three sons are living away from home – two in Edinburgh and one in Japan – Douglas and Christine will move to Scotland’s capital, where they own a flat, before looking to build a new home.
George said: “Plan A is to buy a plot, probably in the Borders, maybe somewhere else, and build something.
“Our problem is that we can’t find anywhere that matches up to here in terms of attractiveness and location.
“We love the north-east and are sad to leave, with the exception of the fact it’s too cold.”
Contact Ledingham Chalmers on 01224 632500.