Steading became three homes rolled into one
This amazing home near Newtonhill certainly has the ‘wow’ factor, writes Donna Ross
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When you visit Bourtree Steading for the first time, you’d be forgiven for thinking the impressive building houses more than just one property.
The magnificent house – on sale for the equally impressive price of offers over £1.4million – was originally meant to form three properties, but owner John King, of King Foods, took on a much bigger project.
“I had converted a house in Angusfield Avenue from a small bungalow into a two-storey home in the past – but I’d never done anything to this scale before. It was quite a big plan to take on,” he said.
John and partner Maggie Muirison came across the derelict steading on the outskirts of Newtonhill by chance when they were in the area back in 2009.
“We were out looking at another house at Maryculter and decided to take the back road when we saw a for-sale sign in a field, so we drove down the track and saw the building with development for three buildings. It was a derelict building and was only partially roofed but I liked what I saw.”
The picturesque plot and its close proximity to Aberdeen sold the steading to John and he made enquiries to see if he could transform it into his family home for his son Dylan and Maggie’s two boys Thomas and Marcus.
Original plans were to turn the building into two four-bedroom and one three-bedroom properties. After just 48 hours, John secured approval from the planning department to start work on his dream home.
“I knew exactly what I wanted to do with the steading,” he said. “We wanted a modern home in the country with open-plan living. We sat down with an architect who drew up plans three or four times until we finally got what we wanted.”
After 11 months, the magnificent six-bedroom mansion was complete, meeting all the family’s requirements – and more.
Accommodation at the luxurious home has been thoughtfully designed over two levels, and capitalises on the lovely outlook over the surrounding countryside.
Rooms include the spacious lounge, walk-in wine cellar, sitting room, dining room, impressive kitchen with various integrated appliances, utility room, cloakroom, four double bedrooms with en-suite shower room – one with dressing room.
There is also a family room/TV room, bathroom, games room on two levels, double bedroom/games room, master bedroom suite incorporating double bedroom, dressing room and en-suite bathroom, and a library.
“Another thing we wanted was for the bedrooms to have en-suites and walk-in wardrobes. The kids can throw all their stuff into the wardrobes and we don’t see it until we open the door.
“I love our walk-in wardrobe. My shoe collection is huge. I’ve got four racks and Maggie’s only got three which is the wrong way about,” he said, laughing.
Another of the children’s favourite features is the split level games room/leisure suite, and John and Maggie love the impressive kitchen.
As well as being filled to the rafters with impressive fixtures and fittings, the property’s eye-catching interiors are equally as impressive.
Every room has interesting items of furniture and brightly coloured walls, carpets or furnishings – giving the feel of a number of different houses rolled into one.
“I love interiors and think I’ve got it down to a fine art now,” said John. “If the house was too big for the next owners it could really be put back into three houses.
“The main wing where the main living area is includes the kitchen, dining room and lounge, and is where the four-bedroom house was meant to be.”
Outside, the central courtyard is laid out as a seasonal extension to the main living accommodation with a floodlit pond, putting green with Astroturf, lawn and large paved patio.
The extensive, easy to maintain mature grounds comprise tarred driveways and parking areas, lawns, and a small pond with a burn running along the edge of the property.
Another selling point at Old Bourtreebush Steading is its tranquil rural setting to the south of Aberdeen. However, it is just a short drive from the industrial estates to the south of the city.
“I love the setting of the house. I think this is the best side to come into Aberdeen from.”
After enjoying a few years living at the impressive house, John and Maggie have decided to leave their luxurious home behind.
“We will really miss the house but feel it’s time to move on.”
Ducati motorbike: I’m 40 this year and I promised my mum I’d get rid of it as she was always worried about me when I was out on it – but I didn’t tell her I was putting it up on the window ledge. I couldn’t part with it.”
The kitchen: “The marble island is five metres long so it’s a nice place to sit. It’s got a built-in wok. I’m not the greatest of cooks but I can come up with something using the wok.”
