castlemill

House type:

stone detached farmhouse

Size:

four bedrooms

Location:

Gartness, by Killearn, Stirlingshire

Price:

on application

ONCE in a while, a rural property comes along, guaranteed to make even the most committed urbanite forsake the world of tall skinny lattes and designer outlets for the village shop and a pair of green wellies. Castlemill, on the banks of the River Endrick and the Pots of Gartness, is such a property.

It takes fine judgement to successfully combine traditional farmhouse features with cutting-edge contemporary style but owners Paul and Kirsty Davidson have done exactly that. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that although the couple were born and raised in Scotland, they have spent a substantial slice of their working life in London.

''Living in London had certainly lost its edge for us,'' explains Paul, a corporate finance solicitor. ''We were getting homesick for Scotland and when work made a move home more practical, we jumped at the opportunity.

''When we first set eyes on Castlemill five years ago, it needed everything done to it, but the peace and tranquillity of the setting worked its magic and we knew that it had all the makings of a great family home. We enjoy the benefits of a traditional home in a rural setting but within comfortable commuting distance of Glasgow.''

Now renovated and redecorated, Castlemill has proved effortlessly flexible. With two children, Matthew (two) and Lucy (one), the Davidsons have increasingly come to appreciate the versatility of their home. The logical layout may have something to do with the fact that the godfather of logarithms, John Napier, was a former resident. His parents bought the house for their clued-up son and it is said that Napier's calculations were inspired by the sound of the the mill wheel.

''It's hard to pin the property down to an actual year,'' says Kirsty, ''but the datestone above the barn is inscribed 1574 and it probably pre-dates the building. Castlemill is a mix of a converted barn and original farmhouse, with a double and single-storey section, plus a separate barn. It hides a deceptively spacious interior, all 2500 sq ft of it, and has a cosy, relaxing feel.''

It was Kirsty who took care of the decor, which she claims is not too fussy but in keeping with the house. Oak floors generate a flow of continuity throughout most of the downstairs level, and on a more practical note, the Davidsons installed a fireplace, central heating and Sky television points.

Kirsty switched into domestic goddess mode when it came to culinary matters, working with a local architect to create a dining kitchen sheathed in solid oak and corian. A breakfast bar, shelving, wine rack, glazed shelved display cabinet and electric double oven with ceramic hob are incorporated into the bespoke units.

With such a seductive setting it comes as no surprise that the Davidsons entertain a great deal. ''It's all pretty low-key,'' Kirsty admits. ''We wanted a dining kitchen that would be suitable for formal and informal occasions and opened up another room to create more space. A utility room with Belfast sink helps to keep the kitchen fairly streamlined.''

The day room is a particular favourite with the Davidsons because of its generous dimensions, river outlook and open fire. The Endrick waterfall views through the astragal windows in the lounge and dining room are equally mesmeric.

Two double bedrooms and a bathroom are also on this level, then it is through to the upper hallway staircase to the master bedroom with walk-in dressing room, bathroom two and bedroom two.

All is green and pleasant in the eight acres of grounds surrounding the property which Paul says they tend themselves, except for mowing the lawn.

''We've created a children's play area and raised timber deck overlooking the Endrick and there is a single garage and private single-track entrance. As we look on to a salmon leap, you can watch the run as it comes through in October.''

The outhouse matches the fabric of the house and is linked by a wooden panel, providing the potential for increasing the accommodation, subject to planning permission. Such easy-to-maintain accommodation lends itself to family life or a rural bolthole.

With Drymen and Killearn equidistant, the Davidsons have a choice of pubs and shops; there is a nursery in Killearn and a selection of local schools; all this and Glasgow a 30-minute drive away. If chilling out in a stylishly confident country property sounds like your next move, call G&S Properties on 0141 942 9090.