Room with a view

One look at this country home’s spectacular setting makes it clear to see why its owners decided to move there, writes Donna Ross

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Elaine and Derek Mitchell at Mill of Cornabo. Kenny Elrick

When Elaine and Derek Mitchell went to see Mill of Cornabo, near Monymusk, for the first time in 2006, all they had to view was a crumbling building – but they knew they wanted to set up home there.

“It was basically a shell at the time,” said Derek, 57, who owns Caledonian Logistics at Dyce. “It’s in an idyllic setting which is extremely nice and we really liked it.”

As its name suggests, the historic building started life as a mill. It was one of three properties being converted by Stephen Clark when the couple were looking for their new home.

Its prime position – with uninterrupted panoramic views out to the Don Valley, to Bennachie, Millstone Hill, Pitfichie Hill, Cairn William and “Paradise Woods”, a secret Aberdeenshire beauty spot – make it clear to see what attracted Elaine and Derek to buy their home.

As the conversion was being completed for them, all the couple had to worry about was picking the kitchen and bathrooms.

“We got to pick the finishings, but work at the house has been ongoing since we moved in,” said Derek.

Inside, it’s clear to see the attention to detail that’s been paid throughout the grand property – on sale for offers over £465,000. Quality features include hardwood doors and finishings and Italian marble tiles with under-floor heating throughout most of the ground floor. Derek said: “The under-floor heating keeps the house nice and warm on a cold day. You can actually walk about in your stocking soles.”

The spacious home has been the ideal size for entertaining over the years, thanks to its spacious sitting room with gas fire, well-proportioned dining room with french doors leading to a decked bridge over the mill lade and large dining kitchen complete with a large Millennium 2000 Aga cooker – every budding chef’s dream.

From the kitchen, a second staircase leads to a double bedroom, shower room and bedroom five/study.

This area of the house can be separated from the rest of the house by a door that connects to the master bedroom and self-contained access can be gained through the door leading to bedroom five/study. This would offer ample accommodation for a teenager, elderly relative or guests staying at the house.

“When our youngest son Nicholas stayed with us, he stayed in that part of the house,” Derek said.

Upstairs, there are two further spacious bedrooms, each with lovely en-suite shower rooms.

As well as providing spectacular views, the high number of windows also fill the house with an abundance of natural light.

“The house is really bright, thanks to the windows,” said Derek.

Outside, the grounds at Mill of Cornabo are as immaculate as the house itself. The large driveway leads to a substantial parking area in front of the house, and another drive leads to the garage.

To the south, west and east there are landscaped garden grounds and there are two paved terraces separated by steps at the back of the house.

The mill lade flows to the south of the property and the mill wheel on the south gable is in working order – a timely reminder of the building’s history.

Another selling point at the house is its location. Monymusk village has a post office with general store, hotel, pub, tearoom, art gallery, church and primary school. Secondary schooling is available at Kemnay and Alford.

Inverurie is the nearest town and has a wider range of shopping and leisure facilities. The industrial estates at Inverurie, Westhill and Dyce, as well as Aberdeen city centre, can be reached in under an hour.

Now that son Nicholas, 24, has left home, Derek and Elaine have decided to leave their home behind.

“We are going to miss this house,” they said in unison.

Contact: Strutt & Parker on 01330 826800