For many people who live in a busy city, a weekend away to the countryside for some peace and quiet sounds like a dream come true.
But for Mark Calvert and James Lucas, having some peace and quiet is a year-long luxury.
Strathdon turned out to be the perfect location for the couple who wanted to be part of a small community in a rural location.
They first moved to Aberdeenshire from England around eight years ago, when they decided to open a business up here.
That business turned out to be the Victorian Tea Rooms at Dinnet, before they decided to turn their hand to something different a few years later.
While Mark pursued his social-care career, James opened an arts antique shop in Kincardine O’Neil – the oldest village on Deeside.
It was after that shop was sold, however, that the couple found their dream home at Strathdon.
Mark, 50, who now works as an assistant to a care home manager for Aberdeenshire Council, said: “We liked the rural aspect of Strathdon because it’s very quiet; it’s very peaceful; it had all the good things.
“We just wanted to be somewhere quiet and Strathdon is certainly that. It’s beautiful, with beautiful walks and lots of places of interest.
“We were aware that the Lonach Games were held in Strathdon and heard about it through local people that I worked with, so it was a mixture of things that made us consider it.”
They began their search for a new home and after spotting Waterside Steading in the Press and Journal, they decided to go and take a look at it.
But it took a degree of “vision” on the part of Mark and James to see that it could become the house they were looking for.
“There were no windows or doors; it was still a work in progress,” Mark said.
“It was bought as a steading and we bought it off a builder and he converted it into its current state.
“We did have some kind of say with the finishing touches, so we did have the opportunity to put our stamp on it, which we certainly have.”
Flair and style coupled with exceptional taste have been combined successfully at Waterside Steading to create a stunning modern interior, housed within a traditional rustic building.
The décor is stylish, light and contemporary and is complemented brilliantly by high, vaulted ceilings throughout and exposed ceiling beams, an abundance of large picture windows and a glazed hallway with floor to ceiling windows running the length of the building.
For Mark, a number of rooms have become favourites in this three-bedroom steading.
“I think the lounge is lovely,” he said.
“It’s south facing and the window replaced what would have been the old barn doors; the raw iron brackets are still on the outside.
“It has been replaced with a 7ft window which goes into an arch, so it gets lots of sun and it has lovely views. It’s really cosy in the winter as well, with the wood-burning stove.
“The kitchen is such a big space. It’s fantastic for entertaining because there’s a seating area. We have lots of people up, so it has been great for us.”
The master bedroom is also a highlight of this house, with its own en suite bathroom and walk-in dressing room.
Outside, the gardens make up just short of an acre with a gravel driveway providing ample parking space.
But it is the location of this beautiful house that is its real selling point.
The spectacular glen sits on the banks of the River Don and marks the gateway to the Cairngorms National Park. The scenery and landscape are unrivalled, with rugged hills and pine forests, fantastic for the outdoor enthusiast. The beautiful surrounding countryside has abundant leisure facilities such as golf, fishing, horse riding, walking and cycling. During the winter months, ski-ing at Glenshee and the Lecht are within easy reach. The village is well served by many amenities, which include a shop, post office and primary school. Secondary schooling is available at nearby Alford.
Now, after living in the steading for five years, the couple have decided to put their home on the market, for a fixed price of £285,000, after James had to move south for work.
But what will Mark miss the most about his idyllic home?
He said: “The neighbours are great; most neighbours I have are really supportive and everyone looks out for each other. It’s a great community.
“I think I would miss the quietness and the laid-back feel of the area.
“There is no hustle and bustle, it’s very peaceful, but you can also be involved in the local community as well.
“There is always something going on at Lonach Hall and you can be involved as much as you want, but it’s the quietness, the lifestyle I suppose really that I will miss.”
Contact: Mackinnons on 013398 87665.