Hot Property

Wednesday 11 July 2012

Set in a beautiful countryside location and featuring stunning views, this lochside home makes an instant impact.

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Ali Howard

Kate Weston describes the moment she and her husband first saw their future home: "We arrived in the drive and I could see my husband's shoulders relax. We saw the views and both thought 'We have to live here'. It was such an instant emotional reaction to such a special place."

The property was a contemporary, 1800 sq ft, three-bedroom former farmhouse on the shore of Carbeth Loch in East Carbeth, Blanefield. As beautiful and idyllic as it was, it was a stark change from the couple's tenement flat in the west end of Glasgow. "We wanted more space," explains Kate, who is originally from Kent – the couple lived in London before moving to Scotland six years ago. "We had friends who lived in the valley who thought it was lovely. We came out and simply fell in love with the area." One of the biggest attractions of the property's location is the fact that, while the home is in the country, it is only half an hour from the couple's places of work and also close to the airport. "Blanefield is beautiful, but this feels like a special spot because it's next to the loch and my husband and I love walking," says Kate. "There are also great paths for cycling and the West Highland Way is on the doorstep." The property was in great shape when the couple bought it, with wooden floors and a double-height extension included, which remains one of the property's stand-out features. All that was left for Kate and her husband to do was turn the third bedroom into a study, put in a new bathroom, and do "lots of painting". The couple also personalised the home with their own unique mix of furniture – modern and eclectic. "We'd lived in a Georgian flat before and, while I loved the idea of a modern house, I wondered if our furniture would work," explains Kate. It does. They also improved the kitchen, which now features Corian work surfaces, splashbacks and feature lighting. "We love cooking and entertaining," says Kate, adding that the space is well suited for guests, offering a nice flow from space to space. There is an adjoining scullery/utility room and a separate dining room, which features glass concertina doors, allowing the option to open up one entire side and take in the exceptional views and gardens. The stunning lounge has a high-pitched, cathedral-style ceiling and a glass wall facing the loch, while a family room has a wood-burning stove and French doors leading to the deck and gardens. Kate says: "In summer, we put the doors back and have an indoor/outdoor room and live on the decking." From the sitting room, the couple can sit and watch the scenery change, while deer come down to feed and rabbits run around on the lawn. "The living room is probably my favourite," says Kate. "That or sitting out on the deck. The bedroom is also really special. To be able to wake up and look out and see what the day's going to hold is great." Kate also sings the praises of her neighbours. There are five houses nearby: two families with children and three semi-retired couples: "It's great because you're in the middle of nowhere but next door are lovely friends. For former city-dwellers, it's like the first stage of country living. But the great thing is that it's a modern house, but it feels like a real home." What: Three-bedroom former farmhouse. Where: Carbeth Loch, East Carbeth, Blanefield. Price: Offers over £399,000. Contact: Corum on 0141 942 5888 or check www.corumproperty.co.uk

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