Davidston House, By Keith, Banffshire, AB55

Enchanting fortified laird’s house with annexe, delightful gardens and paddock.

Description

Historical Note: Historian A C Hughes wrote: 'The old house of Davidston is a most remarkable and characteristic example of a 17th century laird’s fortified house with some of its original outbuildings attached. This architectural gem, with its decorated corbelled turrets and slit windows, is little altered externally since its building in 1678. This beautiful house with its corbie-stepped gables is a delightful example of the typical dwelling house of a 17th century Banffshire laird, a house which could be readily defended to resist the attacks of armed bands of caterans. There are all too few surviving specimens of this rugged and delightful Scottish domestic architecture deriving in style form the French chateau and of which the Scots baronial building was the direct descendant.'

It is reported that after the fall of David De Strathbogie the great northeast clan of Gordon arose. "Davidstoun" is entered in the Earl of Huntly’s renewed charter of 1545 as forming part of the barony 'de Huntile alisa Strathbogy' John Gordon of Pitlur Castle acquired Davidston between the years 1670 and 1673 and built the castellated house in 1678. His initials and those of his wife (Jean Abercrombie) as well as the date, are carved into the stonework with a mask in the supporting corbelling of the northeast turret. Montrose and his royalist army camped beside Davidston between his victories over the Covenanting armies at Auldearn and Alford.

Accommodation: Davidston House is a rare and very fine example of a fortified laird’s house. It is an impressive home offering a harmonious blend of spaciousness and comfort. The ground floor sets the tone for the home's grandeur. First and second floors offer versatile space and complete this substantial residence.

The house boasts 7 bedrooms and 5 bathrooms, ensuring ample private space for occupants and guests alike. The principal bedroom offers a luxurious retreat. Large reception spaces provide numerous spaces for relaxation and entertainment. Two kitchens cater for culinary needs, or allow for an adjoining wing to be self-contained. This could be for staff quarters, guests or multi-generational living space.
The interior design showcases a mix of traditional elegance and cosy charm. Rooms feature a warm colour palette, with some bedrooms painted in inviting yellow tones. Many bedrooms are adorned with canopy beds, adding a touch of romance and sophistication. The bathrooms are thoughtfully designed with a combination of period and modern styles, creating bright and airy spaces.

Throughout, the house has an abundance of characterful details including turrets, crow stepped gables, shot holes, arrow slits, wooden beams, stone fireplaces, ornate wooden doorframes, stud doors and window shutters, all of which reflect the property's rich heritage. Large windows in many rooms offer views of the surrounding greenery and flood the interiors with natural light.

The house excels in its provision of communal areas with its multiple reception rooms, each with a unique ambiance. These provide ample space for gatherings, some feature fireplaces, built-in bookshelves, and comfortable seating arrangements. The main kitchen features a four oven cream AGA and generous granite worksurfaces including an island.

Arranged off the courtyard with its circular border and box hedges are two car ports housing a boiler for the wing and oil tank. In addition there is a store with an oil tank and door to the wine cellar. Outwith the courtyard is a garden shed/workshop with concrete floor and fitted shelves.

The gardens are to the front and side of the house. These are enclosed and are a delight. They include lawns together with flower and shrub borders. At the back of the house is a flower and vegetable garden with a wooden summer house along with a greenhouse.

The grounds beyond have been planted with an attractive mix of hard and soft woods to complement the mature trees and to provide privacy and shelter. There are pleasant walks through the grounds and wooded bank leading down to the Davidston burn.

Location

Davidston House is situated within a most attractive rural area, close to the River Spey and Speyside. Despite its rural location, it is not remote. The A96 at Keith is easily reached and links Inverness to Aberdeen.

This is a renowned and attractive part of Scotland with wooded and heather clad hills. The nearby River Spey and the Deveron are two of Scotland’s premier fishing rivers. There are unlimited opportunities for hill walking, with deer forests and grouse moors also within easy reach. It is an area that is famed for its varied and abundant wildlife, and there are, of course, a number of well-known distilleries.

Keith offers a range of shopping and primary and secondary schooling together with a golf course. Private schooling is available at Gordonstoun, which is only some 29 miles away. There is a railway station at Keith. Both Aberdeen and Inverness provide all the services expected in major cities, including airports offering a range of domestic and European flights, and railway sleeper services. To the north is the Moray Firth with its pretty beaches and fishing harbours. The ski slopes of Aviemore and the Lecht are within easy reach.

Distances:
Keith (6 miles)
Huntly (8 miles)
Elgin (24 miles)
Aberdeen (46 miles)
Inverness (62 miles)*
*All distances are approximate.

Square Footage: 5,673 sq ft


Acreage: 8 Acres

Additional Info

Services: Mains water and electricity. Private drainage. Oil central heating.

Miscellaneous: Category B Listed. The neighbouring farmer has a right of access to the adjoining field, although it is understood that this is seldom used.

Fixtures & Fittings: Standard fixtures and fittings are included in the sale.

Servitude rights, burdens and wayleaves: The property is sold subject to and with the benefit of all servitude rights, burdens, reservations and wayleaves, including rights of access and rights of way, whether public or private, light, support, drainage, water and wayleaves for masts, pylons, stays, cable, drains and water, gas and other pipes, whether contained in the Title Deeds or informally constituted and whether referred to in the General Remarks and Stipulations or not. The Purchaser(s) will be held to have satisfied himself as to the nature of all such servitude rights and others.

Possession: Vacant possession and entry will be given on completion.

Offers: Offers, in Scottish legal form, must be submitted by your solicitor to the Selling Agents. It is intended to set a closing date but the seller reserves the right to negotiate a sale with a single party. All genuinely interested parties are advised to instruct their solicitor to note their interest with the Selling Agents immediately after inspection.

Deposit: A deposit of 10% of the purchase price may be required. It will be paid within 7 days of the conclusion of Missives. The deposit will be non-returnable in the event of the Purchaser(s) failing to complete the sale for reasons not attributable to the Seller or his agents.