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Thurso about 3 miles. Wick about 17 miles. Inverness about 110 miles.

Offers over £375,000

Overview

A substantial family home in immaculate order with wonderful views towards Dunnet Head.

About 7.75 acres in all.

- Impressive family home in immaculate order

- Generous garden grounds

- 4 separate paddocks and former croft house

- Wonderful views over surrounding countryside

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General

Northbanks House is a substantial detached dwelling house with useful outbuildings and amenity/grazing land set in a quiet rural location with easy access to both Thurso and Wick. The house is extremely private and benefits from unrestricted views over the surrounding countryside and towards Dunnet Head. Northbanks House was built in 1993 , the current owners have maintained the property to a very high standard and replaced all double glazed window in 2005. The property is of traditional construction under a tiled roof and has a number of good sized reception rooms which are ideal for entertaining, well proportioned bedrooms and a generously proportioned hallway and first floor landing which give an impression of space and light. The family kitchen is very well equipped and has a four oven Aga. There are six bedrooms on the first floor including the superb master bedroom suite. Additional buildings include a double garage and a former croft house and adjoining stables which could easily be converted to additional living accommodation for guests or a relative, subject to planning consent. The land is traditionally used for grazing and split into 4 separate paddocks which are well fenced and benefit from water.

The county of Caithness is famous for its unspoilt open countryside and its beautiful coastline with wonderful sandy beaches, including the renowned Dunnet Sands with the seaward views dominated by the distant cliffs of Dunnet Head to the island of Hoy. The area offers many opportunities for rural pursuits including walking, cycling, fishing and wildfowling. Nearby is the famous Castle of Mey, the former home of the late Queen Mother and now a popular tourist attraction during the summer months.

Thurso, mainland Scotland's most northerly town, is about 3 miles away and, home to the country's most northerly railway station. It has a good range of shops and facilities including supermarkets, hospital, cinema, High School and has the campus for the North Highland College for further education. Wick, about 17 miles away, offers further amenities with a new Tesco supermarket and petrol station, as well as its airport offering regular flights to Edinburgh and Aberdeen with connections worldwide. The nearby village of Castletown lies 1.5 miles to the east of the property and provides an excellent primary school, a range of local shops, a hotel and harbour. The larger regional centre of Inverness is about two hours drive to the South and has many national chain stores including Marks and Spencer, Debenhams, a theatre and large cinema.

A tarmac driveway sweeps round the front of the house to a parking area to the side. Solid wooden doors open to:

Accommodation

Front Porch

3.0m x 1.5m

With tiled floor, side window, glazed inner doors and door leading to:

Cloakroom

2.8m x1.4m

With tiled floor, side windows, fitted coat rail and shelving.

Reception Hall

13.1 x 4.9m max

Large spacious and well lit hallway with Pine staircase to first floor, understairs cupboard, display alcove, telephone point, radiator and doors off to:

 

Kitchen

8.1m x 5.7m

With maple floor, four oven oil fired Aga with pine over mantel, cherry fitted wall and floor units, partly tiled wall with hand painted tiles, 1 1/2 stainless steel sink with mixer tap and drainer unit. integrated Electrolux dishwasher, integrated fan assisted electric oven, integrated fridge, integrated microwave, two gas rings, spotlights, telephone point, television point, two radiators, with doors off to:

Utility Room

2.6m x 3.1m

Partly glazed door, with tiled floor, shelved cupboard, fitted wall and floor units, fitted shelving, oil fired boiler providing central heating and hot water, plumbed in washing machine, clothes drying pulley, stainless steel sink with mixer tap, access to loft.

Store

2.4m x 3.7m

Partly glazed door, with tiled floor, fitted shelved cupboards, telephone point, double aspect room.

 

Conservatory

4.1m x 4.0m max

Bright spacious conservatory with views over back courtyard and to the west. Maple floor, side lights, deep shelved cupboard, radiator, double glazed door to patio.

Returning to the front hall there are further doors off to:

 

Drawing Room

5.5m x 5.9m

Spacious triple aspect room, fireplace with wooden mantel and surround and living flame gas fire with marble inset and marble hearth, side lights, picture lights, bay window to the East, and views to the North and West, moulded cornice, television point, two radiators.

Dining Room

5.0m x 3.8m

With corner Victorian fireplace with wooden mantel and surround and living flame gas fire,  triple panelled window overlooking garden, radiator.

Shower Room

2.97m x 2.64m

With tiled flooring, tiled walls, wash hand basin with vanity shelf, spotlights, fitted cupboards below, wall cupboards, towel rail, modern shower cubicle, WC, triple bulb spotlight, extractor fan, radiator. Refurbished in 2006.

 

Living Room

7.2m x 5.4m

Triple aspect room with views over back garden, large fireplace comprising stone chimney with inset display alcove, wood burning stove with tiled hearth, telephone point, television point, two radiators.

Returning to the front hall a pine staircase with a large gallery window leads to the first floor landing with doors off to:

 

Bedroom 1

5.0m x 5.5m

Triple aspect room with views over front garden and to the west, fitted double wardrobe, sidelights, telephone point, four radiators, door to:

En-suite Bathroom

2.9m x 2.0m

With WC, wash hand basin, fitted mirror with background lights, heated towel rail, large shower cubicle, extractor fan, spotlights.

Bedroom 2

4.0m x 3.9m

With fitted double wardrobe and views to the west. Radiator.

Bathroom

2.62m x 2.2m

With WC, wash hand basin, fitted light, fitted surround mirror with light behind, bath with electric shower above, extractor fan, tiled walls and bath surround, radiator.

Bedroom 3

2.7m x 2.9m

Fitted shelf with access to loft, radiator.

Bedroom 4

5.5m x 3.9m

Triple aspect room with built in display shelf, double fitted wardrobes, two radiators.

Linen Cupboard

1.2m x 1.1m

With fitted shelving, access to loft.

Bedroom 5

3.9m x 3.1m

With fitted double wardrobes, radiator.

Bedroom 6

5.5m x 4.1m

Triple aspect room with built in display shelf, double fitted wardrobes, television point, telephone point, two radiators, door to:

En-suite Bathroom

3.9m x 2.0m

With WC, wash hand basin with cupboards below, fitted mirror with overhead light, spotlights, extractor fan, bath with mixer tap and separate power shower attachment, tiled walls.

All fitted carpets, curtains and light fittings are included in the sale.

There is a large floored attic.

Garden grounds

The garden grounds are generous and easily maintained as they are laid mostly to lawn with a variety of attractive shrubs and bushes. The back garden has a useful sheltered patio area and attractive flowerbeds.

Outbuildings

Garage

4.2m x 6.0m

With concrete floor, fitted shelving, electric supply, electric powered up and over door, door to:

Store Room

2.5m x 1.8m

With side window, concrete floor, fitted shelving, dimplex heater. Door leads to:

WC

1.4m x 1.6m

With concrete floor, WC, wash hand basin with cupboard below, fitted shelving, side window, electric panel heater.

Former Croft House

Approx. 10m x 4m

Situated outwith the curtilage of the main house and central to the land. Of traditional stone and Caithness slate construction in need of renovation with 3 rooms and adjacent lean to lambing shed and cattle shed.

Land

The land consists of 4 separate fields of good quality land capable of either being used as grazing or production of a small crop of hay. The land is free draining and well fenced and capable of producing a limited amount of crops. The land is not registered for IACS and is free from crofting tenure.

Additional Information

Services

Electricity - mains

Water – mains

Drainage - private

Heating - oil central heating

Gas - bottled

Telephone - 2 lines

Council Tax

Northbanks House falls into band F.

Viewing

Viewing is by prior appointment only through the Selling Agents, CKD Galbraith, Reay House, 17 Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness IV2 3HF. Telephone (01463) 224343. The person who may accompany you may however not be an employee of CKD Galbraith.

Directions

From Thurso take the A836 to Castletown and proceed along this road for approximately 3 miles. On entering Murkle, turn right on to Sibmister Road and Northbank House is on the right after approximately 300 yards.

Selling Agents / Local CKD Galbraith Office

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. These particulars have been prepared in all good faith to give a fair overall view of the property. If any points are particularly relevant to your interest in the property please ask for further information/verification. CKD Galbraith strongly recommend that you discuss any particular points which are likely to affect your interest in the property with them, in order that you do not make a wasted journey.

2. Nothing in these particulars shall be deemed to be a statement that the property is in good structural condition or otherwise nor that any services, appliances, equipment or facilities are in good working order. Purchasers should satisfy themselves on such matters prior to purchase and may wish to instruct an independent survey.

3. The photograph/s depict only certain parts of the property. It should not be assumed that any contents/furnishings/furniture, etc. photographed are included in the sale. No assumptions should be made with regard to parts of the property that have not been photographed. Please ask for further information if required.

4. Any areas, measurements or distances referred to are given as a GUIDE ONLY and are NOT precise. Certain measurements have been taken using a sonic measuring machine. If such details are fundamental to a purchase, purchasers must rely on their own enquiries.

5. Neither these particulars nor any subsequent communication by us on behalf of the vendors relative to the property shall be binding upon our clients (whether acted on or otherwise) unless the same is incorporated within a written document signed by our clients or on their behalf satisfying the requirements of Section 3 of the Requirements of Writing (Scotland) Act 1995 or is granted in pursuance of any such document.

6. ENTRY

Entry will be as mutually agreed.

7. CLOSING DATE

A closing date by which offers must be submitted may be fixed at a later date unless the property has been sold previously. Prospective purchasers who have notified their interest to CKD Galbraith, in writing, will receive a letter drawing their attention to the closing date.

The Seller will not be obliged to accept the highest or indeed any offer and has the right to accept an offer at any time or withdraw the property from the market. The Seller will not be liable for any costs incurred by interested parties.

8. OFFERS

Formal offers in the acceptable Scottish form should be submitted, through a Scottish Lawyer, to CKD Galbraith, Reay House, 17 Old Edinburgh Road, Inverness IV2 3HF.

Offerors, particularly those from England, should satisfy themselves, through their Scottish Lawyer, that they fully understand the implications of offering under Scottish Law.

9. THIRD PARTY RIGHTS AND SERVITUDES

The subjects are sold together with and subject to all existing rights of way, servitudes, wayleaves and others whether contained in the Title Deeds or otherwise, and purchasers will be deemed to have satisfied themselves in all respects thereof.

10. CONDITIONS OF SALE

A deposit of 10% of the purchase price shall be paid within seven days of completion of missives, which deposit will be non-returnable in the event of the purchaser failing to complete the purchase for reasons not attributable to the Seller or their Agents.

The balance of 90% will become payable on entry. Interest will be payable on the balance at the date of entry until paid at a rate of 5% over the Bank of Scotland basic rate, notwithstanding consignation.