Our expert property writer Beverley Brown rounds up Scotland's finest homes for sale
Built in the 1820s on the bank of the Burn of Mar, Buchanan School House is a perfectly symmetrical traditional stone-built former school master’s house in the picturesque village of Milton of Buchanan, just a mile from Loch Lomond.
Steeped in charm and oozing character, this home’s interior is a delightful melange of original features (from doors and floors to fireplaces, window shutters, picture and dado rails) and modern fixtures and fittings. It boasts an unexpectedly spacious layout over four levels, including four large double bedrooms, two of which have a full wall of in-built wardrobes and en suite facilities.
Accessed via a traditional front porch, the 16ft central hallway on the ground floor incorporates a spacious front-facing sitting room where the original stone fireplace now houses a multi-fuel stove – and across the hall, a similarly sizable bedroom (or second reception room) with feature fireplace.
From the hall, stairs go down to the garden level and what serves as the focus for family life – a visually striking, open plan, 32ft wide family room and galley-style kitchen. Off this is an open plan breakfast room which continues into a superb triple aspect garden/dining room, with French doors to a rear deck and garden overlooking the flowing Burn of Mar. Also on this level is a cloakroom, and large adjoining store with external access.
The hall also has a staircase leading up – first to a half-landing housing a bedroom and 15ft bathroom (with twin basins, freestanding roll-top bath and separate shower), while the first-floor landing has two further bedrooms (both en suite) and an additional store. Beautifully presented throughout, this is an instantly desirable family home.
To the rear, the deck and patio area overlook the burn and provide amazing views across the Old Mill Pond and the delightful Creiti Hall woodland – a stunning location where kingfishers, squirrels and different species of fish can be spotted. The property also benefits from two storage outbuildings – one of which has been fully insulated and has power installed – and a rustic sheltered ‘sitooterie’.
Milton of Buchanan lies between the picturesque villages of Drymen and Balmaha, the latter on the banks of Loch Lomond within the Trossachs National Park – a sought-after area with an extensive range of amenities and a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. Drymen also has a primary school and is in the catchment for Balfron High School.
Newly on the market but likely not for long, offers over £400,000 are invited by Corum’s Bearsden office.
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