For Sale11 Bedroom House in Letterfourie, Drybridge, Moray, AB56 5JP£2,950,000

Lovingly refurbished Robert Adam mansion house overlooking the stunning Moray coast DESCRIPTION Letterfourie is a most attractive compact estate with an exceptional principal house surrounded by landscaped gardens and policy woodlands. Extending to about 308 acres, the estate occupies an enviable position surrounded by gently rolling and picturesque countryside with the backdrop of the Moray coastline to the north. Situated at the heart of the estate lies Letterfourie House, surrounded by its splendid gardens and policy woodlands, with its productive farmland beyond, protecting both the privacy and uninterrupted views. The Burn of Letterfourie runs through a wooded dell which forms the southern boundary of the estate. Approached by a private driveway from the north, Letterfourie House is an impressive Category A listed Robert Adam mansion house of significant architectural merit which has been revived following a decade of sympathetic and talented restoration. Internally, the house has been painstakingly appointed and decorated to create the most fabulous period house fit for contemporary living. LETTERFOURIE HOUSE Approached through black iron entrance gates, the tarred drive leads up through the wooded policies culminating in a gravelled sweep at the front of the house. Four shallow stone steps lead to the portico with its flanking Corinthian columns oversailing a lower ground passageway (known colloquially as The Moat) which is protected by spear headed railings and thence to the double front doors with external light above. The front doors open into a beautiful black marble inset flagstone floored entrance hall with an impressive stone cantilever staircase to the first and second floors. Both the Drawing Room and the Dining Room lead directly off the Entrance Hall and boast large astragal windows looking south directly over the elaborate double keyhole water feature and fountains. Both reception rooms have beautiful open fireplaces, working window shutters and ornate cornicing. Off the hall there is a cosy study with woodburning stove leading to a stylish kitchen offering plenty of space for socialising and informal entertaining. The bespoke kitchen, installed by Plain English, has custom built fitted wall and floor units which are complemented by a freestanding island unit and a five oven AGA. Through the kitchen in the eastern wing there is a morning room, sitting room and pantry style kitchen. To the west of the entrance hall there is a well equipped pantry, cloakroom with W.C, further W.C., sitting room, office and laundry room. The lower ground floor houses the boiler room, wine cellars, workshop and stores. Each of the wings have kitchens installed and could be converted to provide additional accommodation. In the western wing is the former chapel with impressive arched vaulted ceilings, full length round headed windows with intersecting astragals and original wooden floor. The chapel can be accessed by a separate entrance and has two cloakrooms. On the first floor, there are two further south facing reception rooms: the upper drawing room and the library, both of which have open fireplaces and benefit from lovely views over the surrounding estate and Moray Coast. The upper drawing room features hand painted Chinese wallpaper hung in 1800. The drawing room features an impressive ornate ceiling and cornice. In the west wing there is a bedroom suite with its own sitting room, two bedrooms and bathroom which are perfectly suited for guest accommodation being accessed via the western staircase. There are a further five bedrooms and two bathrooms on the first floor. The second floor has been remodelled to create the principal bedroom suite with a south facing bedroom, a large ensuite bathroom and extensive dressing room. The third floor above offers two attic rooms and bathroom. GARDEN AND GROUNDS The house is surrounded by well-maintained gardens providing a most magnificent setting and outlook. Mature shrubs and trees surround the perimeter offering shelter and privacy. The trees in the parkland to the south include horse chestnut, aspen, elm, plain and copper beech, together with Western Hemlock, larch, sweet chestnut, Norway Spruce and beech along the drive. To the north, interspersed with banks of rhododendrons are some fine trees including Cedar of Lebanon, Douglas Fir, elm, holly, yew and Scots Pine. Central to the house within the formal gardens are the Letterfourie fountains which date from the early to mid 19th century. The fountains have been fully refurbished by the current owners and form an idyllic setting for the house. With over one million bulbs planted in recent years, the gardens at Letterfourie come alive in the Spring with snowdrops, daffodils and bluebells. Surrounding the fountains, the formal lawns have been grown intentionally long to enhance the biodiversity restricting mowing to pathways alone. Lying on the east side of the house there is an impressive hedge lined avenue leading to a newly created orchard consisting of specimen apple, pear and plum trees. Beyond the gardens to the south east, on the site of a former tennis court, lies an aviary which is home to a range of rare breed birds including peacocks, guinea fowl, moorhens which roam the policies of Letterfourie. FARMLAND In total the land extends to approximately 308 acres and comprises 167 acres of arable or temporary pasture land and 139 acres of woodland/rough grazing. There are six enclosures which are all fenced and have a combination of water troughs or natural water supplies. The fields either have access directly from the public road or via internal estate tracks. The land is currently utilised and farmed under contract by a local farmer providing agricultural services. ADDITIONAL PROPERTIES Situated to the west of Letterfourie House, adjacent to the public road, lies Puttingbrae Steading. This former farmhouse with stone built outbuildings (now in a delipidated state) occupies an elevated position with exceptional views towards the coastline and offers significant potential for conversion to residential, commercial or a number of alternative uses (subject to gaining the necessary planning permissions). Historically the site has benefited from permission for conversion to residential use but these permissions have now lapsed. View payable LBTT Calculator for this property