Country House, Cairngorms

Ground Floor

Broomhill House extends to around 6,500 sq. ft (approx. 600m2) and has been painstakingly renovated to provide all modern conveniences whilst staying true to its historic roots. The present owners have retained most of the original features and charm and have worked with the original layout to create a warm and welcoming home showcasing superb craftsmanship throughout.

The house is accessed by the rear through a commanding wooden door under the carport. The ground floor comprises a central hallway with doors off to a cloakroom, lounge, office, drawing room, veranda, formal dining room, kitchen, butlers’ pantry and storage room.

The entrance opens up to a formal hallway with cloakroom and open plan lounge with exposed timber beams, a wood burning stove providing warmth on cooler days and where the focus of the room is the large carved stone mantelpiece. The generous drawing room with its magnificent views to the southernly mountains and formal dining room are accessed off the lounge and both offer spacious and elegant rooms for formal entertaining. The addition of the sunroom, including the sheltered veranda provides a versatile space to enjoy the spectacular vista. The butler’s pantry with original wooden cabinets lies directly off the dining room and can be used as a preparation area for larger events. The main kitchen incorporates a dining area. It features Shaker style cabinets (DeVol), a large walk-in pantry and a 4-oven AGA. A generous storeroom and utility room beside the kitchen provides scope for expansion in the future if required.

First Floor

The principal bedroom accommodation is on the first floor and comprises of seven spacious bedrooms and 3 bathrooms. The eighth bedroom is en-suite and at ground level is useful for those with mobility issues. The bedrooms are all centred off the main corridor and enjoy a southerly aspect and far-reaching views. The bedrooms are all substantial in size and each features a seating area or desk. Each bedroom has been decorated to reflect its own unique style with layered textures with a thoughtful use of natural fabrics and a muted natural palate with accent colours reflecting the historical period of the house whilst use of Scottish designer wares, William Morris wallpapers and natural fibres bring a chic elevated country style to the property whilst still reflecting its past and emphasising the doctrine of the Arts and Crafts Movement:- the use of vernacular design, patterns inspired by nature and simplicity of design. There are eight double bedrooms in total with a master suite above the drawing room. The bathrooms have all been sympathetically upgraded with original fixtures retained where possible.

The first floor also gives access to the roof terrace overlooking the courtyard to the rear of the property and the spectacularly lavish vaulted music/drawing room. This later addition gives an imposing double height hall with barrel vaulted ceiling which was designed by Sir Basil Spence. Formally used as a room for entertainment it has also been used as a library and is now set up as a meeting room. Alternative uses are endless with scope to provide a boardroom, informal zoned family living space or as a grand reception hall for guests if the house were to return to a non-domestic living space.

Staff accommodation

The annexe benefits from its own driveway and entrance separate to that of the main house. The well-appointed property is currently managed as a stand alone unit although it could be amalgamated with the main house as there is access via a secret door by the kitchen. The recently refurbished unit has a good-sized family bathroom, country kitchen/ diner and a cosy sitting room. It potentially provides flexible accommodation for staff but with the added benefit that it can be used as a grannie flat or for private lets.

Gardens and Grounds

Broomhill House is approached by a sweeping private drive from the road up through a quiet wooded area. There is ample parking for 14 cars. A secondary drive spurs off from the main drive providing access to the annexe and has parking for 4 cars.

The mature gardens are easy to maintain and extend to approximately 5 acres, providing sunny expansive lawns, well established herbaceous borders and carefully planted cut flower beds. The gardens are south facing and benefit from sun throughout the day with the veranda providing shade for alfresco entertaining. The former lawn tennis court with its thatched pavilion is a charming feature offering the perfect area for drinks other social gatherings. The house and gardens are framed by mature trees which extend into ancient Caledonian pine forest to the rear of the property. The Scots Pines house an abundance of wildlife, flora and fauna including red squirrels, pine martens, owls and woodpeckers. The ancient woodland has a high biodiversity supports several rare species. In the summer the floors are carpeted with blaeberries and in Autumn foragers can find chanterelles and other funghi. The woods extend over approximately 20 acres and offer total privacy and the opportunity to walk, relax and enjoy.

In addition to the main house there is a range of traditional stone outbuildings with original features including a Coach House within the courtyard which is currently used for general purpose storage. With good proportions these buildings obviously have potential for further development in the future (subject to statutory consents). There is additionally a Siberian Larch multi-functional workshop. Built in 2016 this could be used for storage of garden machinery/furniture or repurposed to provide a studio or external office.