Balquholly Mansion House is a stunning example of a Victorian, Italianate style mansion. Dating from the late 1800s, it is believed to have been built by the Laird of Hatton Castle as a wedding present for his daughter. Other previous owners and occupants include the heiress to Chambers dictionary publishers; Polish officers during World War 2 and more recently it has been used as a hotel. It is believed that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, a British writer who created the character Sherlock Holmes in 1887 was a guest at Balquholly. Balquholly is now a comfortable family home. Providing spacious and versatile living accommodation, the property has been modernised with new plumbing and re- wiring taking place throughout, whilst sympathetically retaining a host of charming, traditional features which make it such a unique property. Almost entirely hidden from view, being surrounded by mature woodland, the house offers seclusion within the wider setting of open, rolling Aberdeenshire farmland.

ACCOMMODATION
The entrance vestibule opens into the large reception hall with a welcoming open fire in an ornate fireplace. A decorative opening leads to the impressive hall with pitch pine pillars, arches and beautiful staircase. The three principal reception rooms are particularly impressive and retain an abundance of period features. The sitting room is an inviting space with dual aspects, pitch pine panelling, an open fire in an ornate fireplace and large arched alcoves. The elegant drawing room has a decorative ceiling and is also dual aspect with a beautiful bay window and French doors leading to the front terrace. The atmospheric dining room has oak panelling on the ceiling and leather panelling to dado height with the original silks above. Another striking feature of the dining room is the curved wall and window. Adjacent to the entrance is a well proportioned room currently used as a study. There is also an office which has Art Nouveau tiles adorning the fireplace.

A passage leads to the former servants' quarters at the rear of the house. The generous laundry room has twin Belfast sinks, a clothes pulley and fitted units. The beautiful dining kitchen is the heart of the home and has ample space for dining and relaxing. The focal point of the kitchen is the AGA within an inglenook and the handmade fitted units and island have granite worktops. The kitchen is flooded with natural light through three windows including a bay. There is a china store, large pantry, modern shower room and a playroom adjacent to the kitchen as well as the rear porch.

Ascending the carpeted staircase which is lit by a full-length stained glass window, the first section of the landing with pitch pine balustrade allows access to bedrooms three, four and five and a beautiful bathroom with original, hand painted Delft tiles and the original roll top clawfoot bath. Bedroom 3 has an en suite shower room.

The light and spacious principal bedroom enjoys dual aspect views across the garden and grounds. There is an adjacent dressing room and large Jack and Jill bathroom with underfloor heating, limestone tiles on the walls and floor, a central marble bath, a separate walk in shower and a marble top vanity unit. The bathroom is shared with bedroom two which has an impressive curved wall and window.

The landing continues past an additional bathroom to a short flight of stairs which leads to a further five bedrooms.

Outside
The main house is accessed through a pillared entrance, with a hardcore driveway sweeping through beautiful woodland to the front of the property and the entrance to The Coach House. The gardens have been wonderfully landscaped, with extensive lawns and herbaceous borders. Beyond the lawn, the ground slopes gently down towards the Den of Woodhead. Mature ancient woodland surrounds the whole estate. Interconnecting pathways throughout the garden and woodland provide magical walks and secluded places to sit. A succession of spring bulbs and wildflowers bloom throughout the seasons, all making a perfect haven for wildlife. The south facing, gravelled terrace at the front of the house provides generous space for barbeques and outside entertaining.


The Coach House
Attached to the rear of the main house is The Coach House which is self contained and is approached from the east of the main house through a gravelled courtyard which is bordered by useful outbuildings and a wall. The ground floor which has laminate flooring throughout, has a study, sitting room, bathroom and a good sized dining kitchen with cream fitted units. On the first floor landing, a charming feature is the pine panelling on the walls. Three double bedrooms complete the accommodation. The Coach House could provide ideal guest accommodation, or an opportunity for multi-generational living or perhaps accommodation for a housekeeper or grounds person.

OUTBUILDINGS
Within the courtyard are two rows of outbuildings, comprising five sheds in total. Power to two sheds, concrete floors.
Octagonal former game larder.
Water pump house.

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