Dale HouseHalkirk | Westerdale | Caithness

Dale HouseHalkirk, Westerdale | Caithness | KW12 6UW

Thurso 14 miles, Wick 17 miles, Inverness 102 miles,

Inverness Airport 108 miles

A stunning period home datingfrom the eighteenth century andoccupying a magnificent positionon the River Thurso.

Dale House & CottageDale HouseReception hallway | Drawing room | Smoking room | Billiardroom | Library | Kitchen | Dining room | Breakfast room |Strong room | Ancillary domestic rooms | 4 bedroom suites |5 further bedrooms | Shower room | 2 bathrooms.

CottageA self-contained cottage with sitting room | Dining/kitchen |2 bedrooms | Bathroom.

Outbuildings/OutsideA courtyard of outbuildings with former stables and garages,a further cottage with development potential, gardengrounds, a walled garden, pond and trout fishing rights onRiver Thurso.

Approximately 16.1 acres in total.

Former MillExcellent development potential with hydro-electric plant andtrout fishing rights on the River Thurso.

Approximately 4.2 acres

Historical NoteDale House dates back to the 1740’s and is thought to have beenbuilt on the site of a Pictish broch. The house was commissioned byJames Budge, an agent for Coutts Bank. The Budge line died out in1800 and the property passed into the hands of the Murray-Threipland family who were responsible for extending the house in1871 and again in 1922. In the past Dale House has been used as aconference venue and for occasional private dinner parties andweddings and today combines the differing architectural influencesand period features to provide a superb property with spacious andflexible accommodation and useful outbuildings.

EntranceThe property is approached by a long tree lined gated drivewaywhich leads to a gravel turning circle with central lawn and is flankedby Caithness stone dyking and herbaceous borders.

GardensThe walled garden to the north east of the house served the kitchenwith fruit and vegetables and is segregated by Caithness stone flagsand a hedge. To the south west of the house there is a pavedterrace with lawn and a peripheral wall which overlooks the paddockin a south westerly direction towards the River Thurso. There is alsoan enclosed pond with Central Island which has been nicelylandscaped.

Original Walled GardensTo the south of the house is the original walled garden. This has aCaithness stone wall and a beehive dovecot in four stages. Withinthe walled garden is a small private cemetery. The walled garden (towhich the sellers will be retaining full access rights solely along theroadway past the Old Mill) is excluded from the sale.

GrazingThe property has excellent grazing and the potential for severalpaddocks if required.

Description

Dale House & CottageDale House is a charming B listed property overlooking the RiverThurso, one of the best salmon rivers in the UK. The property iswithout doubt one of the finest period homes of its kind in theScottish Highlands, 11 miles south of Thurso and in an arearenowned for its fertile farmland, flagstone dykes and ruggedcoastline. The property has previously been used as a privateconference and wedding venue and has a fire detection system andemergency lighting. The combination of differing architecturalinfluences and periods combine sympathetically to provide a superbproperty with flexible accommodation and a host of potential uses.

The current owners have created a comfortable family home andmade a number of improvements during their ownership such as theinstallation of an oil fired central heating system in 2011and newkitchen. The property is set in wonderful garden grounds that adjointhe River Thurso. There is a courtyard with an extensive range ofoutbuildings, incorporating the former stable. The courtyard givesaccess to a two bedroomed self-contained cottage with lettingpotential, staff accommodation or additional family accommodation.Gardeners Cottage is sited half way down the main drive and hasfurther development potential. The cottage is built of Caithnessstone under a Caithness flag roof.The grounds extend to circa 16.1 acres and include two walledgardens, one containing a B listed beehive dovecot.

Ground FloorService corridor with original bells and dumb waiter serving upperfloors

KitchenFour oven gas fired Aga (cream) with sandstone surround. Range offitted floor and wall units incorporating two sinks with mixer taps anddrainers. Four ring electric hob with extractor over and oven below.Two shelved cupboards. Flagstone floor. Part glazed door to backhall with door to patio and flagstone floor.

Breakfast RoomOpen fireplace with painted timber mantelpiece and tiled hearth.Glazed display cabinet. Exposed hardwood floor. Door to:

Lower HallStaircase to Smoking Room. Flagstone floor. Sink. Cupboard understairs housing hot water cylinder. Door to:

Strong Room

From Lower Hall door to:

Separate WC“Thunderbox” WC.

From service corridor, door and steps leading to:

North HallStorage cupboards housing hot water cylinder. Separate WC withbasin. Store room with ample fitted shelving. Wall mounted guncabinet.

From Service Corridor:

Play Room

Sewing Room

OfficeISDN telephone system. Fitted cupboards.

LaundryTwo separate rooms containing clothes pulley, sink and fittedshelving.

Old Coal StoreWith flagstone floor.

Under Stairs Storage

Conference/Dining Facilities

Milk HouseWith flagstone floor and shelves. Fire alarm system control panel.Door to front courtyard and Game larder.

OfficeFitted shelving.

Day RoomCupboard housing electrical isolation unit. Serving hatch. Door to:

South HallCornice. Door to:

WCPart tiled walls. Urinal. Basin. Flagstone flooring. Door to:

Separate WCWC. Basin. Flagstone flooring.

From South Hall, door to:

Dining RoomLarge bay window with wood panelling surround. Open fireplacewith decorative mantelpiece over. Ornate cornicing. Hardwoodflooring. Ceiling mount for electronic projector, fitted projector screenand speakers. Door to:

Ladies WCWC. Basin. Part tiled walls. Flagstone floor.

Disabled WC and Wet-RoomWC. Basin. Part tiled walls. Flagstone floor.

First Floor

PorchCornice. Flagstone floor. Part glazed door into:

HallCornice. Dumb waiter. Staircase to second floor. Staircase toground floor.

Drawing RoomOpen fireplace with ceramic tiled surround, hearth and Adam stylemantelpiece with shell motif. Glazed display cabinet. Decorativecornice.

Smoking RoomOpen fireplace with marble surround and Adam style mantelpiece.Shelved cupboard. Dentallated cornice. Ceiling rose. Door andstaircase to ground floor.

CloakroomRange of fitted cupboards. WC. Basin.

From HallStair leading up to upper hall, lit by skylights. Sliding door with stepsleading to store room and access to roof space. Second slidingdoor to wood-lined linen cupboard.

Garden BedroomDecorative cornice. There is a door to the adjoining Four Posterroom, as the Garden Room was originally the dressing room for theFour Poster.

River BedroomOpen fireplace (not in use) with decorative mantelpiece. Decorativecornice. Door to:

En Suite BathroomWC. Basin with marble surround. Bath with shower attachment over.Decorative cornice.

Cedar RoomLarge bay window with three window seats. Open fireplace withceramic tiled hearth and surround and decorative mantelpiece.Further window seat. Panelled to dado height. Decorative cornice.

Four Poster BedroomOpen fireplace (not in use) with decorative mantelpiece over.Elaborate cornice. Door with steps leading down to:

En Suite BathroomBath with tiled surround and shower over. Basin. WC. Heated towelrail.

From hall, door to:

LibraryFitted bookshelves. Shelved cupboard. Decorative cornice. Exposedwood floor. Alcove. Arch and steps leading to:

LandingLit by skylight. Decorative cornice.

Linen RoomCupboard with fitted shelving. Belfast sink. Access to large roof space.

Shower RoomTiled shower cubicle with shower attachment. Basin. Separate WC.

Rowan BathroomOpen fireplace (not in use) with decorative mantelpiece. Basin.Cornice.

Old Mill BedroomOpen fireplace (not in use) with decorative mantelpiece. Ornatecornice. Door to:

En Suite BathroomBath with tiled surround and shower over. WC. Heated towel rail.Basin.

Second Floor

LandingDecorative cornice. Shelved store room, with dumb waiter. Staircaseto attic.

West BathroomBath with shower attachment over. “Thunderbox” WC. Basin.

West BedroomCurrently used as a sitting room. Open fireplace (not in use) withornamental mantelpiece. Basin. Decorative cornice. Wall mountedTV stand.

Rope Dressing RoomBasin. Rope cornicing.

Rope BedroomOpen fireplace (not in use) with ornamental mantelpiece. Shelvedcupboard with hanging space. Basin. Rope cornice.

Her Ladyship’s RoomOpen fireplace (not in use) with decorative mantelpiece. Built incupboard housing shelving and hanging space. Decorative cornice.Door to:

En Suite BathroomBath. WC. Basin with marble surround. Door leading to landing.

AtticTwo large attic rooms, one housing water tanks, the other formerlyused as a chapel during the War with benches. Access to valleygutters.

CottageFront door into:

Dining KitchenRange of wall and floor units incorporating a stainless steel sink withdrainer and mixer tap. Four ring electric hob with electric ovenbelow. Staircase to first floor with under stair cupboard. Door to:

BathroomBath with tiled surround and shower over. Basin. WC.

From dining kitchen door to:

Living RoomOpen fireplace. Tiled surround. Cupboard.

First Floor

Bedroom 1Fitted cupboard. Hatch to loft space.

Bedroom 2Fitted cupboard.

Former MillSituated at the southern end of the property in a particularly sceniclocation is a former mill which is a well-known local landmark on thebanks of the River Thurso and has magnificent further developmentpotential. The property has a hydro- electric plant (currently not inuse), trout fishing rights and set in approximately 4.2 acres.

SituationLocated only 14 miles from Thurso in one of the most idylliclocations in the Scottish Highlands, Dale House enjoys a private,rural setting in the village of Halkirk.

Thurso is mainland Scotland’s most northerly town located on theNorth coast of Caithness. There are hospitals, secondary schoolsand swimming pools in both Thurso and Wick. This area isrenowned for its spectacular scenery in particular the viewsoverlooking Dunnet Head and its beach. Caithness is popular for itsfishing – salmon fishing on the River Thurso, which runs throughHalkirk and for trout fishing in the many lochs in the area. There are4 golf clubs in the area. Nearby Scrabster is the gateway to Orkneyand there are regular ferries. For the outdoor enthusiast there areseveral activities including hill walking, cycling and Thurso isrecognised as a major area for surfing, often hosting the surfingchampionships leg on the UK Tour. There are regular bus and railservices available from Wick and there are flights from Wick toEdinburgh and Aberdeen.

Not to scale for guidance only

©Crown copyright 2005. All rights reserved. Licence Number 100020449. Survey Scale . 1:2500 Plotted Scale 1:2500P

RO

MA

POrdnanceSurvey

ListingDale House, Dale House dovecot and walled gardenare B listed.

ServicesDale House has mains water and electricity andprivate drainage. Oil fired central heating, LPG forAga.

SolicitorsFrank Mathers, Taggart Meil Mathers, 20 Bon AccordSquare, Aberdeen, AB11 6DJTel: 01224 588020

Fixtures and FittingsAll fitted carpets and integrated kitchen appliancesare included in the sale. Other items are available byseparate negotiation.

Local AuthorityHighland Council, Glenurquhart Road, Inverness, IV35NX. Tel: 01463 702000.

ViewingStrictly by appointment with Strutt & Parker.

Council TaxG

EPC RatingE

PossessionVacant possession will be given on completion.

OffersOffers are to be submitted in Scottish legal terms tothe selling agents Strutt and Parker, 9-11 Bank Lane,Inverness, IV1 1WA.

General

On approaching Halkirk from the A9 take the left turn onto the B870 signposted for Westerdale. Follow thisroad for around 2.5 miles and turn right at the junction signposted Halkirk where the tree lined drive to DaleHouse is visible on the left hand side.

Travel Directions

Tel: 01463 719171The Courier Building,

9-11 Bank Lane, Inverness, IV1 1WA

inverness@struttandparker.com

www.struttandparker.com

SSppeecciiaall CCoonnddiittiioonnss ooff SSaallee1. The purchaser shall within 5 days of conclusion of missives make payment as a guarantee for due performance of a

sum equal to 10 per cent of the purchase price on which sum no interest will be allowed. Timeous payment of the saidsum shall be a material condition of the contract. In the event that such payment is not made timeously the seller reserves the right to resile without further notice. The balance of purchase price will be paid by Bankers Draft at the date of entry and interest at five per cent above The Royal Bank of Scotland base rate current from time to time will becharged there on from the term of entry until payment. Consignation shall not avoid payment of the foregoing rate of interest. In the event of the purchase of any Lot(s) failing to make payment of the balance of the said price at the dateof entry, payment of the balance of the purchase price on the due date being the essence of the contract, the seller shallbe entitled to resile from the contract. The seller in that event reserves the right to resell or deal otherwise with the subjects of sale as he thinks fit. Furthermore he shall be entitled to retain in his hands the initial payment of ten per centherein before referred to which shall be set off to account of any loss occasioned to him by the purchasers' failure andin the event of the loss being less than the amount of the said deposit the seller shall account to the purchasers for anybalance thereof remaining in his hands.

2. The subjects will be sold subject to all rights of way, rights of access, wayleave, servitude, water rights, drainage and sewage rights, restrictions and burdens of whatever kind at present existing and whether contained in the Title Deedsor otherwise and whether formally constituted or not affecting the subjects of sale.

3. The seller shall be responsible for any rates, taxes and other burdens for the possession and for collection of income prior to the said date of entry. Where necessary, all rates, taxes and other burdens and income will be apportioned between the seller and the purchasers as at the said date of entry.

4. The minerals will be included in the sale of the property only insofar as the seller has rights thereto.

Reproduced from the Ordnance SurveyMapping with the permission of theController of Her Majesty’s StationeryOffice. Crown Copyright(ES763454). NOT TO SCALE

If you require this publication in an alternative format, please contact Strutt & Parker on tel 01463 719171. IIMMPPOORRTTAANNTT NNOOTTIICCEE Strutt & Parker LLP for themselves and for the Vendors of this property, whose agents they are, givenotice that: 1. The particulars are intended to give a fair and substantially correct overall description for the guidance ofintending purchasers and do not constitute part of an offer or contract. Prospective purchasers and lessees ought to seektheir own professional advice. 2. All descriptions, dimensions, areas, reference to condition and necessary permissions foruse and occupation and other details are given in good faith, and are believed to be correct, but any intending purchasersshould not rely on them as statements or representations of fact, but must satisfy themselves by inspection or otherwiseas to the correctness of each of them. 3. No person in the employment of Strutt & Parker LLP has any authority to makeor give any representations or warranty whatever in relation to this property on behalf of Strutt & Parker LLP, nor enter intoany contract on behalf of the Vendor. 4. No responsibility can be accepted for any expenses incurred by intendingpurchasers in inspecting properties which have been sold, let or withdrawn. Photographs taken in March 2014.MMEEAASSUURREEMMEENNTTSS AANNDD OOTTHHEERR IINNFFOORRMMAATTIIOONN All measurements are approximate. While we endeavour to make oursales particulars accurate and reliable, if there is any point which is of particular importance to you, please contact thisoffice and we will be pleased to check the information for you, particularly if contemplating travelling some distance to viewthe property.

Tel: 020 7629 7282 13 Hill Street, London W1J 5LQ london@struttandparker.comwww.struttandparker.com