Modern house within a walled garden, with stunning views over Strathmore.
Leal House stands within the former walled garden of Lands of Loyal. It was acquired by the sellers in 1994 and at that stage the house was altered and renovated. This included the installation of double glazing, fitting new ceilings throughout, a new central heating system and an Aga in the kitchen. The study was also created at the same time and the access through the main reception rooms was improved. In 2007 further works were done including the installation of an en suite for Bedroom two, and the creation of an additional bedroom.
Leal House is a fine single storey property, which has been designed to make the most of its position and views. The interlinking reception rooms, and a bar between the drawing room and dining room, together with a spacious hallway, make the house ideal for entertaining. A large kitchen and a bedroom wing also make it a desirable family home.
The house has a brick and harl finish and a tiled roof. The drive leads down to a tarred parking and turning area at the north side of the house, so the views south from the house out over the garden are uninterrupted. Double wooden front doors open to the entrance vestibule with a gravelled plant display area, tiled floor and double opening glazed doors to the hallway. This has a cornice and parquet flooring. Arranged off the hallway are the drawing room and dining room as well as the kitchen, cloakroom and bedroom passageway.
The cloakroom has a cornice, fitted hanging and shelved cupboard and a separate WC with washbasin. Doors from the hallway lead to the drawing room which has a cornice, brick walling with display shelf, alcove and open fireplace with tiled hearth. Picture windows make the most of the views. The adjoining sitting room also has a picture window for the views and sliding patio doors to the garden, together with a brick fireplace with display alcoves, panelled wall with shelving, fitting for wall mounted TV and a door through to the dining room. This has a cornice, and also links to both the kitchen and hallway. The bar connects the dining room to the drawing room and has fitted drinks and display cupboards.
The breakfasting kitchen has fitted Osprey wooden wall and base units with tiled splashbacks incorporating a Bosch fridge, Hotpoint double oven/grill, Zanussi hob, double sink and Bosch dishwasher. There is a central island unit and a blue two oven Aga. There is ample space for a breakfasting area, with fittings for a wall mounted TV. Off the kitchen is a utility room with fitted units, sink, plumbing for washing machine, clothes pulley, fitted cupboard and hatch with attic ladder to the roof space. The rear entrance vestibule has a tiled floor, wooden back door and houses a Trianco oil fired boiler. Off this is a shelved larder and the integral double garage with automatic up and over doors and a useful log store.
On the other side of the hallway is the bedroom passageway. This has another hatch with attic ladder leading up to a partially floored roof space. Off the passageway is the study with sliding doors to the patio making the most of the views. The master bedroom also has a picture window, together with Ashley Ann fitted wardrobes and a dressing room again with Ashley Ann wardrobes and dressing table and a tiled en suite bathroom with bath with shower, vanity unit with washbasin and WC. Bedroom two is a double aspect room with a tiled en suite shower room with shower cubicle and vanity unit with washbasin and WC. Bedrooms three & four have cornices. The bathroom is partially tiled with a corner bath, shower cubicle and washbasin. There is a separate WC with washbasin. Bedroom five has fitted shelves,currently used for linen storage.
Outside
The garden, within the original garden walls, is delightful. To the north of the house is a heather rockery and shrub borders, with some good trees providing both privacy and shelter, and an enclosed drying green. The main south facing garden includes lawns, flower and shrub borders with rhododendrons, and has been thoughtfully designed to provide colour throughout the spring and summer. Adjacent to the house are paved terraces, ideal for entertaining and for catching morning, afternoon and evening sun. Next to the drive is a useful and screened, block built garden shed (2.29 m x 3.21 m) with a concrete floor, and an adjacent bunded oil tank.
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Leal House is a winning combination of a lovely rural setting in its own walled garden and flexible and generous living space - so coveted these days. It is an excellent family home that has been well looked after by the current owners.
Ruaraidh Ogilvie