Mill of BlackhallBy Brechin, Angus, DD9 7RJ

Mill of Blackhall is a most attractive former mill which was converted into a fine country house in the 1990s, and which has further benefited from substantial renovations since 2015. Whilst there is a date stone of 1686, it is believed that parts of the building may be even older, as it is understood that there was a mill here as early as 1608. It is believed that this earlier structure was extended in 1686, and again later, and that it was built as a corn mill for the local estate, with a kiln for drying grain. The mill was powered by water from a lade from the nearby Cruick Water, and was grinding oats as late as the 1960s. It was then used for storage.

Restoration and conversion to a house was undertaken in the 1990s. At that stage it was taken back to the stone walls, re-roofed, wired and plumbed, with floors and internal partitions installed. Where required stone and slates came from local steadings, so as to be in keeping. Some of the timber mouldings came from Marischal College in Aberdeen. Since 2015 further extensive works have included the refurbishment of the dining room, kitchen and bathroom, partial new flooring and staircase, together with converting part of the loft to an attic room, conversion of a garage to a studio, and landscaping works. It has latterly been used as a holiday home, but also makes a very fine family house. As such it is a unique house, with contemporary elements in a traditional shell, and forms part of an interesting group of buildings with the nearby farmhouse and steading, which is also now a house.

Externally it is most attractive, built of stone with a slate roof. Internally it has many interesting features including beamed ceilings, wooden arches and pillars, together with a large inglenook style fireplace in the living room. New herringbone flooring, to be in keeping, has been laid in the kitchen, dining room and en suite.

Wooden gates open to a cobbled drive which leads round to cobbled parking with a path up to and around the side of the house. There are entrance doors on both the eastern and western elevations. Storm doors and an inner partially glazed door open to the hallway which has a beamed ceiling, wooden flooring, staircase to the first floor and walk in hanging cupboard. Off is a useful downstairs WC, part timber lined, with washbasin, WC and wooden floor. The hallway links through to both the kitchen and by double opening wooden doors to a fine sitting room which again has a beamed ceiling, along with wooden pillars, a large recessed stone fireplace with a wood burning stove, display cupboard with shelves below, wooden flooring and double glazed doors opening out to both sides of the house. A wooden door links to the fully fitted kitchen with beams, wooden worktops, Belfast sink, Bosch dishwasher and under counter fridge, Rangemaster Professional range cooker with six ring gas burner, dresser units and display shelves. Off this is a dining room with stone walls, spotlights and illuminated glass artwork providing lighting. A shelved door from the kitchen leads to a utility room with a stone flag floor, doors to garden, Mistral boiler and plumbing for a washing machine.

Bespoke wooden stairs lead up to the first floor landing which has a wooden floor and shelved cupboard with the hot water tank. Bedroom 1 has a beamed ceiling, wooden floor, three wall lights, hanging cupboard, and an interlinking shower room with bedroom 2. This is part timber lined with a tiled shower cubicle, washbasin, WC and under eaves storage. Bedrooms 2, 3 and 4 each have a beam and wooden floor, with bedroom 4 also having a door to outside stone steps. The family bathroom has a bath with overhead shower, washbasin with bespoke wooden worktop, WC, wooden flooring and part stone walling. Wooden steps lead up to a timber lined attic room with two wall lights, wooden flooring, and an attic with under eaves storage and access to roof space.
A stone built studio with a slate roof has a studio room with stone flag floor and beams; a shower room with tiled shower, wash basin and WC; as well as a timber lined sauna.

The garden is enclosed by wooden fencing, and is mainly in grass with gravelled paths, trees, shrubs and fruit trees. There is a stone built well with a pump, covered corner wooden seating and an open sided, but covered, oblong wooden summer house (3m x 4.8 m approx.) with seating and a peg tiled roof. A gravelled path leads past the side of the house where there is a mill wheel on the gable, which was installed as part of the original renovations, along with a wood store. The path leads on up to a cobbled seating area, and to a stone flag sided pond, with wooden decking, designed to resemble a mill lade. Steps lead down to a further seating area, adjacent to one of the entrance doors.

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